Pendolino 390/1 coaches consist of 145 first or SP + 444 standard in 11 coaches, with 4 coaches in 2+1 seating
400m is impractical in classic line stations without a spending huge to expand the station.
You could also add another coach of First to the Azuma to make a comparable number of seats of 2+1 and still be (slightly) shorter than the Pendolino.
The refurbished ones has 607 seats. I think Azuma and Pendolino are very similar in terms of space efficiency.
On plain unidirectional track, agreed. It's around stations and junctions where the problems occur, especially large station throat junctions close to platform ends. Junctions can be expensive and sometimes practically impossible to move if also constrained by tunnels, major bridges etc, or to gain sufficient standage, a geographic route divergence needs a complete new branching alignment further out that cuts across some desirable or irreplaceable historic neighbouring property.
Undoubtedly
Possibly, but the indicative timetable in the Business Case didn't show all that many HS2 trains actually stopping at the Interchange station. But who knows what will happen in actuality?
I would imagine all trains stopping at Solihull Interchange, so that passengers can transfer to Birmingham Airport. Admittedly, there would be more passengers changing at Solihull Interchange southbound I suspect, than Northbound.
Chiltern should be focused on serving their intermediate market, not London-Birmingham. Plus the HS2 capacity should be cheaper anyway
Its not Solihull Interchange. There are a significant amount of signs on the new pieces of road around there that have Birmingham Interchange covered over.
Birmingham Curzon Street is a dead end station and it require a bit of walking to New Street, so I don't think people would like to transfer to another train there.
Curzon Street is very close to Moor Street, it should connect well particularly if the proposed connection gets built. If the Cmp Hill lines get done there was some talk of moving some XC services over to Moor Street.
Isn't there also plans to be building the Midlands Metro to be going to Curzon Street from New Street, which passengers will be able to pickup if they have heavy luggage to transport?
), although if train tickets don't allow you to travel on the tram (so far I've not heard of any plans to allow that) that might be of limited usefulness.
So about a kilometre in total, then. Airports provide travelators for that sort of distance.
You may have misunderstood me - I was thinking about people wanting to go to Birmingham driving to Interchange for a fast train straight in from a station with car parks next to major roads. If there is such a market then you could sell a London-Birmingham seat twice.
Will it be quicker to stay on TfW trains (and maybe others) to Interchange and get HS2 (and avoid changing at New Street!) or will the people mover thing just take too long?
I have often suggested moving walkways for the middle, covered section of St.Martin's Queensway. Efforts to improve the pedestrian route between New St. and Curzon St. will also benefit New St.'s connection with Moor St. of course, welding the three terminals into 'one station' as authorities have dubbed the broader complex.
Firstly I am against 400m trainsUmmm... ummm... On a quick check of Google maps, I make the distance from the entrance to New Street to the entrance to Curzon Street to be about 500m. So, not much more than the distance people will have to walk along the platform at Curzon Street if their seat is at the far end of the train. While I appreciate that walking along a platform isn't quite the same as walking along the street, it seems to me a bit odd to complain about the New Street-Curzon Street distance if at the same time you're defending 400m trains
And yes it will be possible to get from New Street to Curzon Street by tram (although probably not to the other end of the Curzon Street platforms
Firstly I am against 400m trains
Secondly I agree 500m can be perfectly walkable, but assume you are travelling on the tube and you're planning the trip with a tube map.
Would you choose an out-of-station transfer over a same station transfer? Personally I'd prefer same station transfer even if it will take a bit longer.
The WMCA want better integration with Moor St, here is what is proposed:
While it maybe such that people can walk between New Street to Curzon Street, what about those that have difficulty in working or are disabled?Ummm... ummm... On a quick check of Google maps, I make the distance from the entrance to New Street to the entrance to Curzon Street to be about 500m. So, not much more than the distance people will have to walk along the platform at Curzon Street if their seat is at the far end of the train. While I appreciate that walking along a platform isn't quite the same as walking along the street, it seems to me a bit odd to complain about the New Street-Curzon Street distance if at the same time you're defending 400m trains
And yes it will be possible to get from New Street to Curzon Street by tram (although probably not to the other end of the Curzon Street platforms
A moving walkway would be a good idea, such that it could help those that are disabled with either limited ability to walk or having to go round in a wheelchair. This would be especially so also with those moving large amounts of luggage between the stations.
