Could we see more inter EU trains?

[DenmarkRail]

Unsure if this is the right area of the forum, free to move it.

Since HS2 will be built to a standard EU gauge, could we potentially see more services to and from Europe to the north along HS2? Will HS1 be connected to HS2?

I’m thinking a Eurostar service perhaps Paris to Manchester, or even Amsterdam etc.

Again, I’m not saying will that specifically happen, but would it be possible?

 

[gordonthemoron]

HS1 & HS2 will not be connected

 

[sprinterguy]

No, because there will be no direct link between HS1 and HS2. That option was dropped in the early stages of development.

 

[swt_passenger]

No, because there will be no direct link between HS1 and HS2. That option was dropped in the early stages of development.

I think it was dropped rather late in the development. The Old Oak Common End of the link was shown in the published plans for ages. The formal decision to remove it was announced in 2015, the Higgins Report of 2014 had proposed its removal. It was included in the 2013 Hybrid Bill.

But to avoid repeating the topic, we had a thread about it only last January, I’ll find the link:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-happened-to-the-proposed-hs1-hs2-link.159325/#post-3285991

 

[sprinterguy]

I think it was dropped rather late in the development. The Old Oak Common End of the link was shown in the published plans for ages.

Ah fair enough. Seems like a long time to me since an HS1 link was an active proposal.

 

[swt_passenger]

Here’s another link straight to the DfT’s report on the decision:
https://assets.publishing.service.g...ttachment_data/file/480372/HS2-HS1_report.pdf

 

[Warwick]

Assume for a moment that by some miracle of common sense there is a good connection off the white elephant to HS1.
Here are your choices.
Catch a train leaving Manchester at 09.00, step off the train in Paris at 13.45 or so(local).
Catch a flight leaving Manchester at 09.00, step off the 'plane at Paris 11.30 or so(local).
That's why the regional Eurostars were a dead duck.

 

[HowardGWR]

Worth pointing out that the proposed 'M25' link between Heathrow and Gatwick would also link HS2 and HS1. I understand that the proposal is receiving some government interest, as it would be largely privately financed, AIUI.

 

[swt_passenger]

Worth pointing out that the proposed 'M25' link between Heathrow and Gatwick would also link HS2 and HS1. I understand that the proposal is receiving some government interest, as it would be largely privately financed, AIUI.

It still wouldn’t provide any additional HS2 paths. The DfT report on cancellation of the link explains that international trains are not an effective use of capacity. IMHO the M25 link is a solution without a problem.

 

[AlexNL]

Back in the nineties, when Eurostar started operating, there were plans to provide services from cities beyond London to the continent. Two dedicated fleets were built to support this: the North of London high speed trains, and a fleet of Nightstar sleepers for overnight services. Depot space was also allocated and various signs ("Eurostar sleeps here") were placed in places far from London.

Both services never came to fruition due to all sorts of issues. In the end the project was canned, the NoL trains were sold to SNCF and the Nightstar carriages were sold to Canada's VIA Rail.

If it was impossible to get this up and running in the nineties, it surely is impossible to get it working in the current political climate.

 

[farci]

Assume for a moment that by some miracle of common sense there is a good connection off the white elephant to HS1.
Here are your choices.
Catch a train leaving Manchester at 09.00, step off the train in Paris at 13.45 or so(local).
Catch a flight leaving Manchester at 09.00, step off the 'plane at Paris 11.30 or so(local).
That's why the regional Eurostars were a dead duck.

You have to compare city centre arr/dep and add on the security circus at airports, baggage hassle. In the case you quote the train sounds good - and much more relaxed

 

[Western Lord]

You have to compare city centre arr/dep and add on the security circus at airports, baggage hassle. In the case you quote the train sounds good - and much more relaxed

The city centre argument in almost all cases only applies at one end. Few people begin their journey in the city centre and the airport may be more convenient as far as access is concerned. Of course, the city centre may not be the most convenient arrival point for the final destination either.

 

[PeterC]

The city centre argument in almost all cases only applies at one end. Few people begin their journey in the city centre and the airport may be more convenient as far as access is concerned. Of course, the city centre may not be the most convenient arrival point for the final destination either.

Too many factors really, for me the practical route to any London airport is via central London. At the other end of any long distance journey I am likely to make it would mean travelling via the city centre to reach my destination. I wouldn't bother flying for anything between the English Channel and the Firth of Forth. For anything this side of Paris I would drive.