HS2: alternative names

[Jorge Da Silva]

Andy Street is calling for HS2 to be renamed. Given this, what else could you call it?
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hs2-gives-out-wrong-signals-says-andy-street-tlb8nbzk6

He also called for a name change: HS2 reinforced the image of “men in suits with Apprentice-style wheelie suitcases whizzing down to London”.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

White Elephant?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

White Elephant?

lets be serious for once. It’s not a white elephant

 

[ohgoditsjames]

“High capacity” in its name would help greatly as most people still don’t seem to understand that capacity is the main reason it needs to be built and that the speed is simply a byproduct of building a new line. They made a mistake selling it with “faster journey times”.

 

[pdeaves]

"West Coast Main Line additional fast lines".

 

[Kingspanner]

The Grayling Line?

 

[Polarbear]

North West relief line

 

[HSTEd]

National Main Trunk Line.

 

[Captain Bigwig]

The Middle Bickenhill and Toton Railway

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

“High capacity” in its name would help greatly as most people still don’t seem to understand that capacity is the main reason it needs to be built and that the speed is simply a byproduct of building a new line. They made a mistake selling it with “faster journey times”.

one suggestion for a name I heard a few years ago was Grand Union Main Line

 

[Bletchleyite]

The West Coast Main Line Capacity and Service Enhancement Project.

That it is high speed is just because it might as well be, it barely costs any more than a 125mph railway, which would also satisfy the fundamental need of 2 extra tracks on the south WCML but nowhere else sensible to put them.

 

[WideRanger]

Taking inspiration from the Tokaido Shinkansen: How about the Watling New Main Line?

 

[coradiafan2000]

We still generally refer to the existing high speed line as "HS1", so I wouldn't be surprised if we just keep calling it "HS2", even if a catchier name is thought of.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

We still generally refer to the existing high speed line as "HS1", so I wouldn't be surprised if we just keep calling it "HS2", even if a catchier name is thought of.

HS1 used to be known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link but is officially now called HS1 so HS2 imo is logical

 

[d9009alycidon]

Great Central has a good fit, and like its predecessor won't get any further north than Manchester

 

[swt_passenger]

one suggestion for a name I heard a few years ago was Grand Union Main Line

Unfortunately brings to mind Ian Yeowart’s regular proposals for highly unlikely open access services...

 

[pdeaves]

HS1 used to be known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link but is officially now called HS1 so HS2 imo is logical

Maybe rename HS1 back to what it was and call HS2 "Chiltern Tunnel Rail Link" (as in the rail link that goes through the Chiltern tunnels), or CTRL for short. That should be pretty clear...

 

[swt_passenger]

Maybe rename HS1 back to what it was and call HS2 "Chiltern Tunnel Rail Link" (as in the rail link that goes through the Chiltern tunnels), or CTRL for short. That should be pretty clear...

Chiltern Avoiding Line. Must be a winner because any time people mention a Dawlish Avoiding Line it gets rave reviews...

 

[coradiafan2000]

With how TOCs seem to love rehashing old names as of late (GWR and LNER), the London & Birmingham Railway might be a good fit?

 

[squizzler]

Raily McRailface?

 

[coradiafan2000]

Raily McRailface?

Better than simply HS2.

 

[TRAX]

Central HSL.

 

[nick.c]

Central HSL.

West Coast Express Line - WCEL? Hopefully eventually leading to an East Coast Express Line ECEL and a Great Western Express Line GWEL.

 

[coradiafan2000]

I'd rather "West Coast" not be involved at all, it'll be going nowhere near the west coast of England so it'll be a confusing name for people unfamiliar with the British rail network. The actual West Coast main line barely goes along the coast as is.

 

[TRAX]

Central HSL.

Or Great Central High Speed Line.

 

[coradiafan2000]

Or Great Central High Speed Line.

That has a surprisingly good ring to it!

 

[trentvalley]

North South Express Line

 

[elliotjelliot]

HS1 - UK High Speed Line: South East and International
HS2 - UK High Speed Line: North (Could more specified if in another reality a second north bound high speed line was built)

I know its still technical but I think for a new high speed line you don't want nostalgia, you want to be forward thinking as its an innovation.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

High Speed West Coast?

 

[TRAX]

High Speed West Coast?

Is it really on the Coast, though.