The Planner
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 15 Apr 2008
- Messages
- 15,988
Sorry Planner, but a speed upgrade from the pitiful Victorian 60 mph to the 75mph I read was planned, (& why not 80 mph) would have been worthwhile. Here is why. For about 10 miles of the approx 15 miles north of Walsall a diverted express would have saved 12 seconds a mile, about 2 minutes.
Before you scoff at this as trivial, remember the two main time based costs of running an expensive train like a pendalino are lease & crew costs. I have been told by people higher up the chain that these may total £150 an hour, that is £2.50 a minute.
If two expresses in each direction each hour were diverted via the Chase line an 80 mph speed upgrade would save £150 a diversion day, plus passenger time saving, plus a small time saving for local electric trains.
Of course the speed upgrade doesn't benefit Network Rail in the short term. It may add to their costs, but it benefits the rail industry & passengers. But this appears not to enter Network Rail planners' consideration. If the operators made the decisions rather than Network Rail the line speed would be raised perhaps to 80 mph & some curves eased. Network Rail making the decisions in their sole interest explains why our Rail industry needs such a stomping subsidy.
The line speed has nothing to do with diversionary capability, it is about delivering a half hourly service to Rugeley which 60mph does. Also answer me why Virgin had no objections at all to the proposal? Who would pay for the upgrades over and above what delivers the output for very little return?