It's possible the route will be downgraded south of the HS2 junctions to 110mph to increase capacity (running a mix of 110/125/135 would reduce capacity).
There are expected to be more trains with more intermediate stops.
Probably no Scottish services, which will all go via HS2.
I don't think the operator via Rugby/MKC will be competing with HS2.
Edit: The WCML franchise will be skewed more towards local/regional services, not long distance.
More like Chiltern is at the moment, compared to Virgin.
Maybe the route will be unified under one "LM" franchise.
Isn't that the point of the project though? You put long-distance travellers on the fast trains and local travellers on the stoppers. It's just an extension of what already happens, effectively.irish_rail said:I think its highly unlikely the government would allow Virgin (or whoever is running ICWC) to compete with HS2, as in reality, most people if offered a 2 hour Manchester to Euston journey for say £30, would choose this over a HS2 1hr 30 minute journey costing say £60.
There will be no competetion service, just slow stopping trains, forcing those from Birmingham, Crewe, manchester, Liverpool etc onto HS2 services, in order to prevent the embarrassment of the project becoming a failure....
Yes, but you are forcing long distance passengers to pay more, just to save a few minutes, and for the pleasure of travelling on a train with no view (all tunnels), in an allocated seat, and with all the charm of air travel....
Didn't British Rail increase prices when major electrification projects were completed to reflect the improved service?
irish_rail said:Well I think its a safe bet that services on HS2 will command a premium price compared to current equivelent "intercity" services.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is burying their heads in the sand or reading too much RAIL magazine....
Could the Pendolinos be retrofitted with TVM?
Signalling systems aside is there anything that would stop a Pendolino from running on HS2? LM could take over the current WCML with new build EMUs.
Nothing apart from the pantograph, not being able to stop at any of the high speed platforms, and not being fast enough to fit in the timetable.
I think its highly unlikely the government would allow Virgin (or whoever is running ICWC) to compete with HS2, as in reality, most people if offered a 2 hour Manchester to Euston journey for say £30, would choose this over a HS2 1hr 30 minute journey costing say £60.
There will be no competetion service, just slow stopping trains, forcing those from Birmingham, Crewe, manchester, Liverpool etc onto HS2 services, in order to prevent the embarrassment of the project becoming a failure....:roll:
But surely only if it is built not to be compatible with existing train stock?
Well the government could spin it as a good thing, "You asked us to lower ticket prices, so we did!"irish_rail said:If the price of tickets crashes however will the government and privateers recoup their huge outlay to build HS2?