Just an update: 90 mph running has commenced over a short section between Gobowen & Shrewsbury.
Checked out the line speed upgrades on the Chester-Shrewsbury line today.
About 14 miles of the 18-mile Gobowen-Shrewsbury section has gone up from 60/70MU to 90mph.
This starts south of Whittington, with a short dip to 60/70MU half way, over two crossings (Baschurch, Eyton), and finishes at the west end of the long embankment before Coton Hill.
The mid-way dip to 70 must be down to level crossing controls and/or signal sighting.
Gerald in particular will benefit from going from 60 to 90 (mostly) over this section.
Between the new junction at Rossett and Saltney Jn (Down, northbound), speed goes up from 60mph to 60/80MU at Rossett, and then to a full 90mph after a mile or so.
But then back to 60 before the A483 overbridge, so only a couple of miles of higher speed.
Southbound, the Up line is signed for 90mph from just after Saltney Jn to south of the A483 bridge, however this whole stretch has a 60mph TSR, so no change for the time being. There is then a mile or so of 60/70MU to Rossett.
Presumably the northbound line will extend its 90mph zone towards Saltney when the mile or so of jointed track between Balderton and Green Lane is replaced.
The project works site at Rossett is still active. All 4 upgraded level crossings are now open again.
So overall, better than was feared at one time.
I wonder when the 5 minutes gained from the two schemes will be knocked off the schedules.
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