Fantasy: Given no limits, how would you modernise your line?

[SwindonBert]

My local station is (not surprisingly) Swindon, after the works over the last few years affecting services, from doubling the Kemble line through to the electrification of the GWML a period of stability please.

If there were to be any changes, a new station in North Swindon (on the way to Kemble), reintroduction of the direct service to Oxford, to be linked into the future East West line & (if I've read the IEP plans correctly) not have trains stopping at Chippenham but not Swindon

 

[DynamicSpirit]

No limits?

OK... WCML between Preston and Windermere
(which I use quite a bit, although it's not really my 'local' line. Main problem is the lack of commuter trains, forcing short-distance commuters onto the long-distance trains).

I would 4-track between Preston and Carnforth, opening new stations at Blackpool Road Preston, Broughton/M55 Parkway, Galgate, Lancaster University, Skerton, and Hest Bank. And reopen the mainline platforms at Carnforth. These stations to be served by:

• 2tph Liverpool-Morecambe, replacing the current Morecambe shuttle.
• 2tph Manchester Airport - Barrow/Windermere, which would both split at Lancaster, obviously replacing the current Barrow and Windermere services.

Trains timetabled to give a regular 15-minute frequency between Preston and Lancaster.

Obviously, build in whatever other infrastructure is needed to support this. You'd need a passing loop on the Windermere branch, and possibly a grade separated junction for the Morecambe branch.

Oh, and while we're at it, rebuild Kendal station to have an entrance at the Eastern end of the platform to/from Shap Road - making the station much more convenient to walk to.

My local line is actually the Woolwich line, which is already pretty good for journeys into Londonso there's much less you could usefully do there on that line itself. But...

• Sort out the slow linespeeds between west of Woolwich Arsenal.
• Improve capacity at Dartford so that all trains can run to Dartford (with connections at Slade Green or Dartford to the Bexleyheath and Bexley lines)
• But an entrance at the Western end of the platforms at Abbey Wood.
• And please please please abandon the planned 2018 timetable changes: Keep the 10-minute frequency to Cannon Street and run those proposed Thameslink trains to somewhere else instead.

And two new lines to provide better orbital journeys in that part of London:

• Extend Crossrail from Abbey Wood, under the Thames, to Grays.
• Build a new DLR line from Newbury Park to Crayford: Running roughly Newbury Park - Ilford - Barking - Gallions Reach - Thamesmead - Abbey Wood - Bexleyheath - Bexleyheath Town Centre - Crayford. TfL are intending already to build the bit between Galleons Reach and Thamesmead, but no funding confirmed. And they have considered Ilford-Bexleyheath Town Centre as an possible long-term ambition.

 

[tbtc]

Please please please the second platform and track for Dore and Totley

YES!

Such a bottleneck on the only line between two of the biggest cities in the UK - many cutbacks and rationalisations made sense at the time but having a (single platform) station on the single track chord between Sheffield and Manchester is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Fred26]

Southern ECML, specifically the GN.

• Four-track Welwyn viaduct and tunnels
• Four-track Huntingdon-Peterborough
• Demolish Stevenage station and rebuild it with platforms separate from the fast lines, similar to Welwyn Garden City.
• Build two new bay platforms at Stevenage on the downside
• Open a new platform at Hitchin on the upside, where the old Royal Mail depot is - this will allow trains to stop from both Cambridge and Peterborough at the same time if need be, and allow fast trains around the slow trains.

New off-peak timetable:
1 x Finsbury Park, Stevenage, then all stops to Peterborough
2 x Finsbury Park, Welwyn Garden City, then all stops to Peterborough

1 x Finsbury Park, Cambridge, Ely, Kings Lynn
1 x Finsbury Park, Royston, Cambridge, Ely, Downham Market, Kings Lynn
1 x Finsbury Park, Stevenage Royston, Cambridge, then all stations to Kings Lynn
1 x Finsbury Park, Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Royston, Cambridge, Cambridge North, Ely
2 x Finsbury Park, Welwyn Garden City, then all stops to Cambridge North

6 x Moorgate-Welwyn Garden City, all stops
6 x Moorgate-Hertford, all stops, with three extended to Stevenage

Obviously all of the above in the opposite direction too.

 

[B&I]

Liverpool-Huyton, money no object ? Either NPR, or 4 tracking east from Edge Hill and continuing to Chat Moss, to enable 4 TPH stopping trains from Lime Street to both Wigan and Newton-le-Willows (then 2 TPH to each of Victoria and Bank Quay). And running throughout service, too - not petering out after 7 pm.

If money is REALLY no object, then reinstating my other 'local' line (if I'd lived where I now live before 1960) - the CLC Liverpool outer loop, running over the North Mersey branch to connect to the current Merseyrail Northern Line, then through central Liverpool via the link line, and with a further loop branching off after Cressington through Liverpool Airport, crossing back over the LNWR and CLC lines, and rejoining the outer loop at Halewood.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Didn't mention another local route to me, the Penistone line. I've long advocated a loop to allow 2tph but as this thread allows me to get my crayons out, let's have at it:

Redoubled throughout, electrified, and terminal platforms expanded at Huddersfield to accommodate half hourly Huddersfield to Sheffield* services along with reopened (and electrified) branches to Holmfirth (2tph), Meltham and Clayton West (both 1tph). The Clayton West branch extended to a station serving Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

At Penistone, the former Midland route from Barnsley Junction is reopened towards Sheffield (This coupled with a reopened Woodhead route to Manchester of course) but diverted along a new alignment from the Wadsley Bridge area into a tunnelled section which curves around the edge of the city to serve Meadowhall before heading into Sheffield centre.

*=The half-hourly Huddersfield to Sheffield services alternate between the current route via Barnsley, and the new/reopened direct line.

 

[gsnedders]

Quad-track Hyndland East Junction to Finnieston Junction, having grade separated the former; only means totally rebuilding Partick station, finding space for that junction to be grade separated, and extending the viaduct beyond Partick to fit four tracks (which is probably the easiest part!).

 

[Kendalian]

Windermere line - install second platform at Windermere and create a dynamic loop between Burneside and Staveley to enable some half hourly services at busier times and excursions.

 

[whhistle]

But for the MML I would straighten out the line and increase the speed limits to 125mph.

Only 125mph?
I'd make it more 200mph, 250mph.
Gauged for double deck trains.
Double deck trains.

Perhaps even close it completely (there are other stations close on other main lines (apart from perhaps north of Leicester, which is a little harder but not unreasonable), rebuild it with the tracks wider than the standard gauge for better stability.
No need for HS2 then (not that I'm against that!).

 

[DarloRich]

donning the crayonista hat of power..............

simple actions for my local line:

• Direct trains to MK. A reversal at Bletchley is perfectly acceptable
• trains maintained locally
• improved reliability
• improved staff morale and commitment
• a hot spare unit available at all times
• later trains/two train running all day
• trains on Sundays
• connections that work
• Retention of 150 units
• Replacement of 153 with 150 units
  
• A lift on platform 6 at Bletchley
• sensible timetable allowing trains to leave at the same time every hour

More drastic actions:

• Electrify
• rebuild stations with longer platforms
• move signals to support the above
• obtain EMU units to interwork with rest of LM franchise
• increase running speed
• run express services to MK (Bedford>Ridgmont>Woburn>Bletchley>MK)
• Open the line to Oxford ASAP
• Sort out (aka close) as many level crossings as possible
• rebuild canal and A5 bridges to take double track
  
• replace single track sections with double track
• extend services beyond Bedford/Bletchley/MK
• New junctions/track layout at Blethcley to allow direct services to MK without a reversal/allow direct trains to London without impacting on main line operation
• New south entrance at Bletchley actually facing the town centre
• support house building to support passenger numbers to support investment to support house building

The south WCML doesn’t need much doing to it, really. All I’d do is completely cease timetabled 4 car operation on all routes including north of Northampton, and have all peak trains into and out of Euston as 12 car, which would just require some additional Desiros. Also give the 350s a full interior refurb, including fitting new seats (Grammer E3000) to the 350/2s in 2+2 formation, and new 2+1 First Class seats (ideally the 1st version of the IC3000).

Agreed. Not too worried about the seats beyond the fact they need fixing as they are in many cases "tired".

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

Just having track on my local line would be a start....I live in Wooburn Green

 

[cambsy]

My local line is Taunton-Plymouth, so I’d like to see an electrified, 140mph Paddington-Penzance line, tilting trains, which more practical than total re alignment, which could slash up to hour from Paddington-Penzance timings, more loops so fast trains can overtake slow trains etc, and while not local I’d like to see the West and East Coast mainlines upgraded for 140mph or more running, using tilt etc, and I’d scrap HS2 and use that money to do the upgrades I’ve suggested, Ill run for cover now

 

[TommyD]

I'm on the Stockport to Buxton line so -

I'd start with a flying junction at Stockport.
Electrify throughout.
Raise line speeds as much as possible, especially between Stockport and Hazel Grove which is very slow.
Trains at least every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes Stockport to Whaley Bridge, every day of the week, to encourage commuters and shoppers out of their cars on the horrendous A6.
Longer, better, more comfortable stock.
Add panorama cars to some services. The line goes through great scenery and should be appreciated. This means controlling vegetation and trees to expose the views.
Rebuild the station at Buxton to the original design with kiosks and a cafe. And a better walking route to the town to encourage all those tourists off the panorama cars. It's a beautiful destination, advertise it as such.
Introduce leaflets to advertise the assets of the line and it's destinations. Encourage walkers by introducing ticketing for out to one station, return from another.
The line could be a valuable asset to the area and the Peak District National Park but it's vastly undersold.

 

[Statto]

Borderlines, electrify Bidston-Wrexham upgrade the track as well, rebuild Wrexham Central to 2 platform, island platform, there is enough space for that, increase frequency to 2tph, maybe extra trains Bidston-Shotton with a crossover erected.

 

[TommyD]

As an addendum to my post above -

Too many normal people in this country see railways as a distress purchase. We should market trains for leisure much more than we do. We have lines through scenery as beautiful as Switzerland but there's no effort put into marketing train travel as a joy in its own right, as there is there.

This means more comfortable trains with softer seats, a better seat pitch and large windows that are always clean!
I can see panorama trains being useful on the Buxton, Central Wales, Aberystwyth, Cambrian, Settle and Carlisle and many other lines all over the country. I'm sure you could all come up with your favourites.

Sorry, this has come out as a rant, but it annoys me that we don't make enough of the network we have for uses other than commuting!

 

[RichJF]

I live right next to East Grinstead station.
My fantasy modernisation plans for the Oxted lines would include:

East Grinstead line
Rebuild Haywards Heath - Ardingly & electrify through to East Grinstead via Kingscote (alternative to BML). Bluebell Railway would be curtailed to Sheffield Park - Horsted Keynes (sorry steam lovers)
Lifts at East Grinstead.
Bi-directional working through to South Croydon.
Additional platform brought back into use at Lingfield.
Reinstall Crowhurst spur link to Tonbridge line.

Uckfield Line
Double track the Uckfield line.
Electrify Uckfield line.
Extend the line to Lewes.
Signalling/trackwork to allow direct running into Oxted platform 3 from the south.
Possible spur from Ashurst to Tunbridge Wells (usurping Spa Valley Railway).
Put the (soon to be redundant) 458/5's on Southern Metro services & move the remaining 377's down to the Wealden Line!

 

[Senex]

Since wishful thinking is allowed ...
From York southwards and westwards
ECML — complete the quadrupling at Welwyn and between Huntingdon and Peterborough, add the additional up platform at Hitchin that has been mentioned, build the overpass at Newark, build a flyover at Doncaster to keep east-west movements clear of the main line, put back some of the facilities removed at York during the Great Simplification to enhance flexibility.
Trans-Pennine — restore the original alignment at Neville Hill, quad the viaduct into Leeds, and then a new dead-straight line in tunnel as much as necessary to Manchester, preferably to a new Manchester "Hauptbahnhof" at Piccadilly which does seem to be one of the ideas still floating around in connection with HS2/HS3 (or whatever the latter's current name/idea is this month).

 

[class26]

Since wishful thinking is allowed ...
From York southwards and westwards
ECML — complete the quadrupling at Welwyn and between Huntingdon and Peterborough, add the additional up platform at Hitchin that has been mentioned, build the overpass at Newark, build a flyover at Doncaster to keep east-west movements clear of the main line, put back some of the facilities removed at York during the Great Simplification to enhance flexibility.
Trans-Pennine — restore the original alignment at Neville Hill, quad the viaduct into Leeds, and then a new dead-straight line in tunnel as much as necessary to Manchester, preferably to a new Manchester "Hauptbahnhof" at Piccadilly which does seem to be one of the ideas still floating around in connection with HS2/HS3 (or whatever the latter's current name/idea is this month).

........and perhaps a Morpeth bypass. That ought to save several minutes on the Kings X - EDI time

 

[jyte]

........and perhaps a Morpeth bypass. That ought to save several minutes on the Kings X - EDI time

Just bypass half the line north of Northallerton, including new stations at York and Newcastle.
I'll run and hide now.

I too shall run for cover.

My local line is Taunton-Plymouth, so I’d like to see an electrified, 140mph Paddington-Penzance line, tilting trains, which more practical than total re alignment, which could slash up to hour from Paddington-Penzance timings, more loops so fast trains can overtake slow trains etc

Yess another person who wants 140mph paddington-penzance!

Sign this petition and we can get to Chris Grayling's shredder!

 

[BigCj34]

Living in Colchester (I am from Cumbria so did that before), the proposals I would absolutely support would be Braintree to Stanstead Airport, Cambridge to Haverhill, the Halstead branch and the Maldon chord.

Less realistically Sudbury to Thetford, with a mean of linking to Sudbury branch to Haverhill. That would be either from Halstead or through Clare.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

East Grinstead line
Rebuild Haywards Heath - Ardingly & electrify through to East Grinstead via Kingscote (alternative to BML). Bluebell Railway would be curtailed to Sheffield Park - Horsted Keynes (sorry steam lovers)
Lifts at East Grinstead.
Bi-directional working through to South Croydon.
Additional platform brought back into use at Lingfield.
Reinstall Crowhurst spur link to Tonbridge line.

Without wanting to question too much - since this is after all a fantasy thread: I'm intrigued that you suggest - in effect - reopening East Grinstead-Haywards Heath, but not East Grinstead-Three Bridges.

Wouldn't reopening East Grinstead-Three Bridges (with some suitable chord to connect to the existing line) have much the same effect, but be much more useful since it would additionally link East Grinstead to the closest employment centres: Gatwick Airport directly and Crawley with a simple change at Three Bridges. Changing there would also give journeys to Brighton, and also to Horsham etc. And you'd provide a rail service to Crawley Down, which is a much bigger settlement than anything on the East Grinstead-Hayward Heath route. And avoid upsetting steam-lovers

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Develop the 'Transporter' off Star Trek - this will impact on all other modes of transport rendering them redundant. The railways, motorways and airports could then become museum theme parks - unless Eurostar get the Transporter franchise whereby it will be nigh on impossible to get any reasonable fares on the limited services they run at the times you want and the other forms of transport will thrive even more.

 

[Clansman]

It's depressing that a direct line from Perth to Edinburgh (Bridge of Earn to Inverkeithing) is still a fantasy.

 

[jhy44]

Cross-City Line South: (Birmingham - Redditch/Bromsgrove/Worcester)

• Quadrouple the tracks from New Street to Kings Norton to allow non-stopping Worcester/Bristol/Cardiff trains a fast run, subsequently increase the Bham - Hereford from 1tph to 2tph, and introduce a new 2tph Bham - Gloucester (Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Shrub Hill, Ashchurch, Cheltenham, Gloucester) to replace GWR Worcester service & give Worcestershire towns a decent south-bound service for once.

• Re-open the line south from Redditch to Studley, with three new stations, including one at the Redditch Hospital which is a nightmare to get to at present.

• Re-open Blackwell station.

• Open new station called 'Edgbaston' near the site of the old Church Road station to serve East Harborne, Edgbaston, the University Halls of Residences and the Botanical Gardens.

• Open new station called 'Wychall' half way between Kings Norton and Northfield.

• Two new dedicated underground style platforms at New Street to avoid 12 Cross City trains having to cross the tracks each hour and massively improving capacity and punctuality at New Street.

• Re-build University station to cope with its huge passenger numbers, with at least 5 ticket machines to cope with demand (if you've seen the queues going back right over the bridge, 100 people long, you'll know what I mean), and with a heated waiting room on Platform 1 for passengers awaiting the Nottingham train)

• Increase frequency on Sundays on the core Longbridge-Blake Street section from 2tph to 4tph.

• Regulate weekday evening frequency of 4tph to 'one every 15 minutes' as opposed to the current '10 min gap, then 20 min gap'.

• Extend evening service to 01:00, current last Redditch train is 23:12 and Longbridge 23:32, incredibly early for the second city's main transport service.

• Introduce 6-car trains on the line to cope with Peak time demand.

• Introduce a proper Oyster card system.

 

[frodshamfella]

My line is WCML at Acton Bridge, there id like a later service on a Saturday evening, in middle of day there are big gaps in service, but this is a rural station and mainly peak hours use, but a couple of extra service would be nice. But main thing id want is a bigger car park !!

Other station I use is Frodsham...longer trains, and a Liverpool service, which will be reality at end of the year via Halton curve. Add a station at Beechwood (Runcorn) on the curve.

 

[RichJF]

Without wanting to question too much - since this is after all a fantasy thread: I'm intrigued that you suggest - in effect - reopening East Grinstead-Haywards Heath, but not East Grinstead-Three Bridges.

Wouldn't reopening East Grinstead-Three Bridges (with some suitable chord to connect to the existing line) have much the same effect, but be much more useful since it would additionally link East Grinstead to the closest employment centres: Gatwick Airport directly and Crawley with a simple change at Three Bridges. Changing there would also give journeys to Brighton, and also to Horsham etc. And you'd provide a rail service to Crawley Down, which is a much bigger settlement than anything on the East Grinstead-Hayward Heath route. And avoid upsetting steam-lovers

Good points. The issue with the Three Bridges route is that you have massive housing development in Crawley Down & the new class 700 depot on the Three Bridges route now. Even with copious amounts of money I doubt much would be done.
I do agree that reopening Three Bridges - Tunbridge Wells would be beneficial.

 

[keith1879]

I'm on the Stockport to Buxton line so -

I'd start with a flying junction at Stockport.
Electrify throughout.
Raise line speeds as much as possible, especially between Stockport and Hazel Grove which is very slow.
Trains at least every 30 minutes, every 15 minutes Stockport to Whaley Bridge, every day of the week, to encourage commuters and shoppers out of their cars on the horrendous A6.
Longer, better, more comfortable stock.
Add panorama cars to some services. The line goes through great scenery and should be appreciated. This means controlling vegetation and trees to expose the views.
Rebuild the station at Buxton to the original design with kiosks and a cafe. And a better walking route to the town to encourage all those tourists off the panorama cars. It's a beautiful destination, advertise it as such.
Introduce leaflets to advertise the assets of the line and it's destinations. Encourage walkers by introducing ticketing for out to one station, return from another.
The line could be a valuable asset to the area and the Peak District National Park but it's vastly undersold.

My line too - agree with all that. Specifically on comfort I would want all seats to be designed so that someone who is 6 foot two can sit in them. I was on a Northern 156 this morning and even occupying two seats it was painful.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Helsby.Third rail down from Ellesmere Port to link into Merseyrail and OHL from Warrington to Chester. P

 

[Graham Hall]

ok my line is the Durham Coast line and posts at 65 and 86 have covered part of my thinking. I will cover a general North East upgrade (well a BBC Look North version)...

Newcastle to Carlisle - Electrification is a must with Newcastle to Hexham done first. I would also rebuild the station at Gilsland to take advantage of the direct access to the Hadrian's Wall path and tourism market.

Durham Coast line - Electrification and yes I know there are problems with the metro having 1500dc but surely in this day & age we can design dual voltage units.. A new station at Hart (to the North of Hartlepool) would also be in my plan.

Bishop Auckland to Saltburn - yes you guessed electrify it and keep open Teesside Airport to take advantage of the 350 homes due to built in the area.

Northallerton to Ferryhill - This line was due to be electrified by the North Eastern Railway in 1919 and it should have been done by BR. It needs to be done as a diversion route for the ECML. It will also open up the possibility of a direct Saltburn to Newcastle service via this route. It will also enable the trans-pennine services to York to be worked electrically.

Esk Valley line - I would leave this as a diesel line but with extra services and a dedicated 156 fleet based on Teesside to run it.

Well we can all dream.

 

[Bletchleyite]

• Electrify
• rebuild stations with longer platforms
• move signals to support the above
• obtain EMU units to interwork with rest of LM franchise
• increase running speed
• run express services to MK (Bedford>Ridgmont>Woburn>Bletchley>MK)
• Open the line to Oxford ASAP
• Sort out (aka close) as many level crossings as possible
• rebuild canal and A5 bridges to take double track
  
• replace single track sections with double track
• extend services beyond Bedford/Bletchley/MK
• New junctions/track layout at Blethcley to allow direct services to MK without a reversal/allow direct trains to London without impacting on main line operation
• New south entrance at Bletchley actually facing the town centre
• support house building to support passenger numbers to support investment to support house building

I'd actually like to see the German "fancy DMU branch line" approach tried somewhere in the UK like the Marston Vale. So that would be...

- New Stadler WINK DMUs x3 (2 in use, one spare), high power for quick acceleration. Modern, route-branded livery advertising attractions on the line, units to have locally relevant names and the local connections celebrated generally
- Perfect clockface hourly timetable with proper connections (ideally use P5 where not in other use)
- Driver controlling doors, giving an aim for station stops to be for no more than 30 seconds total - but guard to be required and safety trained (needed for selling tickets anyway)
- Platforms modified and lift at Bletchley for level boarding throughout using Stadler style moving steps
- Ideally operate through to MKC bay.