My understanding is that London to Birmingham HS2 won't have any spare train slots beyond the current proposed service pattern
This seems (rightly) to be mentioned as a constraint whenever anyone suggests something like a new classic compatible route, or any other integration with existing or future lines, freight etc.
Would it have made sense to four-track the London to Birmingham phase, given the two branches of the phase 2 Y network will presumably as a result not be able to be used to their full capacity? They will each have the same capacity as the phase 1 line they are feeding in to.
Was this just a cost issue? Would it have been a good idea to four-track, or is it the right decision to go two tracks only?
I know people have talked about a second N-S high speed line east of HS2 phase one but that doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon. Or might it?
This seems (rightly) to be mentioned as a constraint whenever anyone suggests something like a new classic compatible route, or any other integration with existing or future lines, freight etc.
Would it have made sense to four-track the London to Birmingham phase, given the two branches of the phase 2 Y network will presumably as a result not be able to be used to their full capacity? They will each have the same capacity as the phase 1 line they are feeding in to.
Was this just a cost issue? Would it have been a good idea to four-track, or is it the right decision to go two tracks only?
I know people have talked about a second N-S high speed line east of HS2 phase one but that doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon. Or might it?