WCML upgrades for HS2

[Agent_Squash]

Since the HS2 rolling stock will not be able to tilt, where is it likely that the WCML will be upgraded to support 125mph non tilt running? Certainly the stretch between Preston and Lancaster could be with some track realignment.

 

[jyte]

My understanding is that HS2 ltd has stated multiple times in the past that it won't pay for upgrades to existing track beyond the absolute minimum (so interfaces to old lines at the most).

Some parts of the WCML could certainly be upgraded for 125mph, one section that springs to mind is the 8ish miles of long straight north of Carlisle.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Other posters have explained how difficult it is to sign the WCML for multiple speeds for different stock.

 

[Domh245]

I half wonder about the feasibility of making the WCML back into a 110mph railway once HS2 is done. After all, that'll be the speed that the new TPE and WMTrains fleets will do on it. Would the time saved on HS2 be enough to account for any losses from not running up to 125mph on the northern stretches up to Scotland?

 

[snowball]

I half wonder about the feasibility of making the WCML back into a 110mph railway once HS2 is done. After all, that'll be the speed that the new TPE and WMTrains fleets will do on it. Would the time saved on HS2 be enough to account for any losses from not running up to 125mph on the northern stretches up to Scotland?

As I understand it the Scots are already complaining that most of the gains from using HS2 south of Wigan are cancelled out by not tilting north of Wigan, so I don't think they'd be keen on further deceleration.

 

[JamesT]

HS2 Ltd did an options report back in 2016 on possible upgrades which could provide the aspiration of a 3 hour London to Glasgow journey. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506022/NES_Report.pdf
Mostly this involves adding high speed bypasses of existing bits of line. I would imagine any new build stretch would be designed without requiring tilt.

 

[The Planner]

No bypasses will be built anytime soon but looking at options for getting a 125mph non tilt speed in places are being explored.

 

[edwin_m]

My understanding is that HS2 ltd has stated multiple times in the past that it won't pay for upgrades to existing track beyond the absolute minimum (so interfaces to old lines at the most).

Some parts of the WCML could certainly be upgraded for 125mph, one section that springs to mind is the 8ish miles of long straight north of Carlisle.

There's also a section around Lockerbie where VT have suggested 135mph running with Pendolinos.

Other posters have explained how difficult it is to sign the WCML for multiple speeds for different stock.

Increasing the speed for non-tilt stock might mean it could match the EPS (the speed for tilting stock) in some places, where the signage would actually become simpler. Elsewhere the numbers on the speed signs would change but it wouldn't make the signage any more complex, unless it resulted in numerous extra changes of permitted speed.