Could the class 390s be used on HS2 at 140mph?

[FrontSideBus]

mods note - split from

HS2 Class 895s (Hitachi Alstom High-Speed)

HS2 Ltd has revealed that the High Speed 2 (HS2) trains (which will be built by the joint venture HAH-S - Hitachi Alstom High-Speed) will be Class 895 trains, in this post on the HS2 Ltd website (a video that's embedded within it has since been directly embedded into post #3). Relevant section...

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They're incredibly well built and reliable trains, and if things like the HST and IC225 can make it to the age they have done, the 390s can definitely get to 2040 I'm sure.

Would be nice to see Pendos operating at 140mph on HS2 at least!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Would be nice to see Pendos operating at 140mph on HS2 at least!

Now that would be a proper Swan song!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Would be nice to see Pendos operating at 140mph on HS2 at least!

Currently I believe they are limited to 110mph when in non-tilt mode (ie when there are no EPS balises).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Currently I believe they are limited to 110mph when in non-tilt mode (ie when there are no EPS balises).

Is that not more down to the WCML rather than the train itself?

 

[hexagon789]

Is that not more down to the WCML rather than the train itself?

Pendolinos self-restrict to 110mph if TASS is inactive I believe with a brake intervention if 113 is exceeded.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Is that not more down to the WCML rather than the train itself?

Well yes, but it's designed to force WCML PS speeds (ie 110mph max) if tilt is not enabled.
It's something else that an upgrade to run on HS2 would need to address (ie in ETCS space).
It's possible HS2 is designed (track separation and gauge clearance) so that 390s could "tilt at will" on that infrastructure (at 140mph), removing the need for EPS/TASS controls.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's possible HS2 is designed (track separation and gauge clearance) so that 390s could "tilt at will" on that infrastructure (at 140mph), removing the need for EPS/TASS controls.

As HS2 is built to one of the Berne gauges (forget which) this is certain to be the case. Though as HS2 is designed for high speed without tilt (so it's comparatively straight) it wouldn't bring very much benefit if any.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Pendolinos self-restrict to 110mph if TASS is inactive I believe with a brake intervention if 113 is exceeded.

Because of the WCML, not the train’s ability, so if used on HS2 this could potentially be amended.

 

[hexagon789]

Because of the WCML, not the train’s ability, so if used on HS2 this could potentially be amended.

I'm sure the TMS could be suitably amended to remove the restriction, yes, but the restriction applies on any route currently without the hardlock in the software being removed.

 

[cle]

Ok so yes of course there could be software changes - but the fact is that the train could do it.

What’s the use though? Waiting for full set stock to come onboard? Pathing would be a bit silly

Might be a good choice for Curzon to Handsacre services to Scotland / wherever.

 

[Sorcerer]

As they are now, not really. At least not in an operational sense. I suppose if we treated it as a test track and disabled the safety systems we could get a 140mph run. But in regular service you would need to modify the trains to be ETCS capable and be able to run without TASS, and good luck getting the DfT to finance such an overhaul for stock that will be over 30 years old by the time phase one is in operation. The window for max Pendolino service speeds closed a long time ago unfortunately.

 

[Harpo]

Hugely respected former railwayman Chris Gibbs proposed exactly this (140mph 390s) and invited comments here.

Chris Gibb's HS2 proposal

In this week's Rail magazine (and also alluded to in this month's Modern Railways) is a proposal by Chris Gibb for an HS2 service pattern involving HS2 stock at 186mph and Pendolinos at 155mph using the line as a mixed traffic route far more like what you might see in Switzerland or Italy. This...

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