Ideas for Scotrail HST routes

[Peter Kelford]

Some of this will have been covered already, some will already be implemented by Scotrail, but I think its still a good idea to write a comprehensive list of existing and desirable Scotrail HST services. Due to the limitations of the forum system, this list is provided in a separate table. Please see the attachment.

Are there any other services that would be a good idea for the HSTs?

 

[hexagon789]

Some of this will have been covered already, some will already be implemented by Scotrail, but I think its still a good idea to write a comprehensive list of existing and desirable Scotrail HST services. Due to the limitations of the forum system, this list is provided in a separate table. Please see the attachment.

Are there any other services that would be a good idea for the HSTs?

Straightway I'm going to ask why you'd have them on Glasgow-Edinburgh as they are diesel and it's quite a short route.

Then I'd like to propose Glasgow-Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Carlisle with perhaps extentions to Newcastle. The Glasgow & South Western could really do with proper long-distance trains.

You could then seperate out local Glasgow-East Kilbride/Barrhead/Kilmarnock services and electrify those.

 

[Peter Kelford]

Straightway I'm going to ask why you'd have them on Glasgow-Edinburgh as they are diesel and it's quite a short route.

Then I'd like to propose Glasgow-Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Carlisle with perhaps extentions to Newcastle. The Glasgow & South Western could really do with proper long-distance trains.

You could then seperate out local Glasgow-East Kilbride/Barrhead/Kilmarnock services and electrify those.

As a 1st Class only, non-stop service for business travellers and those on luxury holidays/breaks.

 

[yorkie]

As a 1st Class only, non-stop service for business travellers and those on luxury holidays/breaks.

This is in a fantasy scenario, and not a serious suggestion, right?

 

[Journeyman]

This is in a fantasy scenario, and not a serious suggestion, right?

I think anything to do with ScotRail HSTs is bit of a fantasy scenario at the moment.

 

[hexagon789]

As a 1st Class only, non-stop service for business travellers and those on luxury holidays/breaks.

Oh right. All first class or purely this route?

I think anything to do with ScotRail HSTs is bit of a fantasy scenario at the moment.

 

[Indigo Soup]

Then I'd like to propose Glasgow-Kilmarnock-Dumfries-Carlisle with perhaps extentions to Newcastle. The Glasgow & South Western could really do with proper long-distance trains.

I'm rather partial to this idea; it ties in with the early ideas to use Class 158s on the Glasgow & South Western routes. In my head this extends to running Stranraer boat trains with HSTs, and when my imagination gets particularly feverish even direct Newcastle to Stranraer via Castle Douglas.

Glasgow to Leeds over the Settle & Carlisle is a nice dream too, but even less likely to happen. I don't see the sense in extending them to Sheffield as per @Peter Kelford's suggestions, more useful to extend St Pancras services from Sheffield up to Leeds.

 

[Peter Kelford]

All first class or purely this route?

Just Glasgow to Edinburgh.

 

[Peter Kelford]

Glasgow to Leeds over the Settle & Carlisle is a nice dream too

There would be little point in an S&C-based route as the line speed is only 75mph. If you look closely, my proposal is for a route via Newcastle.

 

[Indigo Soup]

There would be little point in an S&C-based route as the line speed is only 75mph. If you look closely, my proposal is for a route via Newcastle.

The G&SW and S&C were both engineered as main lines and should be good for 90mph or 100mph running with relatively minor work, subject to the condition of major structures. The route via Edinburgh adds about fifty miles compared to a route via Carlisle, depending on the exact route. That's a reasonably substantial increase in journey time.

Yes, it's a decidedly crayonista scheme, but links between the west of Scotland and West Yorkshire probably aren't as good as they should be.

 

[hexagon789]

I'm rather partial to this idea; it ties in with the early ideas to use Class 158s on the Glasgow & South Western routes. In my head this extends to running Stranraer boat trains with HSTs, and when my imagination gets particularly feverish even direct Newcastle to Stranraer via Castle Douglas.

Glasgow to Leeds over the Settle & Carlisle is a nice dream too, but even less likely to happen. I don't see the sense in extending them to Sheffield as per @Peter Kelford's suggestions, more useful to extend St Pancras services from Sheffield up to Leeds.

156s aren't bad, but for 2.5 hours to Carlisle they just aren't well suited.

It's a shame the G&SW never got its 158s.

Just Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Just wondered.

There would be little point in an S&C-based route as the line speed is only 75mph. If you look closely, my proposal is for a route via Newcastle.

Maximum is 60 on the Settle-Carlisle as far as I'm aware.