Perspective: Invest in Tilting Trains and Complete Delta Junction to Revitalize HS2, Proposes Gibb
According to a recent article in Rail Business UK, the procurement of tilting trains and an emphasis on services between Birmingham and Manchester are crucial for optimizing the revised High Speed 2 (HS2) project, as highlighted by Chris Gibb, a former executive at Virgin Trains.
The HS2 initiative is undergoing meaningful changes, particularly with plans for a new rail line connecting London to the West Midlands. Chris Gibb, who has extensive experience in various senior roles within the UK rail industry, has shared his insights on how best to operate this revamped railway system.
Last year, Gibb made headlines by suggesting that existing Alstom Pendolino tilting trains could be modified for use on this new line. However,with delays pushing back the full HS2 route’s operational date to potentially 2039-2040,he now believes it’s time for a thorough reassessment of both operational strategies and fleet needs.
Capacity Issues
A major hurdle arises from the previous goverment’s decision in October 2023 to scrap phases 2a and 2b of HS2 north of Handsacre. this alteration means that long HS2 trains will merge onto existing tracks were they will face immediate congestion as four tracks narrow down to two near Stafford.
A visual representation shows how these new HS2 trains will access Birmingham Curzon Street station via what’s known as the ‘Bellingham bridge’.
Currently, Avanti West Coast operates many inter-city services using lengthy Pendolino sets. Concerns have been raised about potential seating shortages once HS2 begins operations due to these capacity constraints. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions regarding speed limitations for non-tilting trains on existing lines.
Guaranteed Seating
Rail Business UK reports that strategies are being devised to manage access not only for HS2 but also other services along the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Existing platforms may struggle with accommodating pairs of longer HS2 trainsets running together.
Pendolino trainsets at London Euston station illustrate current service patterns.
The initial order includes 54 trainsets designed with a maximum capacity of around 504 seats—less than what an eleven-car Pendolino can offer. It appears that passengers traveling between London and Manchester may need seat reservations due to limited availability—a practice referred to as ‘assured boarding’ rather than compulsory reservations as standing passengers aren’t typically allowed on high-speed routes globally.
‘London – Manchester services might only be available through seat reservations.’
This approach could substantially impact other WCML routes since Avanti West Coast currently handles ample traffic across various regional destinations like macclesfield and Crewe. Redirecting these travelers onto local services during peak times could lead to further overcrowding issues—especially during busy weekends or events like football matches.
Revised Pendolino Strategy
Citing developments from last year’s proposals by Gibb regarding refurbished Pendolinos enhancing capacity between major cities such as Glasgow/Edinburgh and London Euston over parts of HS2 southward from Handsacre—he now faces challenges given recent timelines indicating delays until possibly 2037 before any segment opens fully.
The Class 390 fleet is expected phased out between 2037-2043 due it’s age; thus he suggests acquiring additional modern rolling stock alongside current orders rather of relying solely on older models moving forward into service enhancements post-HS1 completion dates set around late decade milestones ahead!
TriLink Program Insights
A further layer complicates matters: The TriLink initiative aims at upgrading sections northward beyond Crewe where minimal improvements were made during earlier investments totaling £9 billion spent over ten years ending back then! This program intends installing advanced signaling systems while renewing overhead electrification equipment throughout key areas leading up towards Quintinshill scheduled around mid-decade timelines ahead!
HS Proposition Overview
By late decade projections suggest full integration into operations including links extending towards Euston along Delta Junction located eastwards near Water Orton where spurs diverge off mainline connections! At this point modeling indicates ten hourly departures operating each direction comprising three dedicated runs linking Birmingham directly into central London alongside others servicing Liverpool/Glasgow regions respectively based upon demand forecasts anticipated thereafter!
An archive map showcasing planned routes including unfunded segments still pending approval processes ahead!
Gibb envisions combining Blackpool-London connections via Liverpool ensuring seamless travel experiences without necessitating additional infrastructure upgrades elsewhere across networked systems already established today! Notably one fast Glasgow connection would only stop briefly at Preston yielding competitive journey times rivaling air travel options available presently too!
Delta Delay challenges Ahead h5 >
Gibb notes no immediate plans exist yet concerning fitting out west-to-north sides allowing direct access from Curzon Street heading northwards joining WCML lines effectively limiting operational flexibility under current descoped scenarios outlined previously here today!
Though he emphasizes importance surrounding establishing such links vital enough replacing outdated CrossCountry diesel units currently serving those same corridors enabling faster alternatives reducing overall journey durations significantly compared against traditional methods employed historically thus far!
In his updated vision plan remains unchanged regarding orders placed earlier securing fifty-four eight-car units while maintaining maintenance facilities adjacent Washwood Heath depot situated nearby too! Initial deployments would focus primarily upon Old Oak Common-Birmingham routes exclusively before expanding outwardly thereafter gradually integrating them throughout wider networks eventually reaching full potential realized later down roadways envisioned here today!”
Total Diagrams Summary Overview: Total Fleet Size =54 Vehicles Available Today !
Total Number Of Vehicles =432
This fleet would subsequently receive enhancements through acquisition newer tilting designs aimed replacing aging pendolinos phased out gradually over next few years leading up until twenty forty timeframe projected completion dates arrive soon enough thereafter!
These newly procured models should feature twelve car configurations measuring approximately two hundred eighty-six meters long maximizing passenger capacities upwards seven hundred eighty-six seats per unit equipped cutting-edge technology enabling speeds reaching three hundred kilometers per hour seamlessly transitioning onto legacy infrastructures already established prior without requiring extensive modifications needed beforehand either way ultimately benefiting everyone involved greatly moving forward together collectively united toward common goals achieved successfully every step taken onward henceforth going forth positively impacting lives everywhere touched along journeys traveled daily alike!”
