Birmingham to Cardiff Speed Limits

[GhostManDN91]

Hi apologies if this is posted in the wrong part of the forum. I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry and it will be my first time doing that route. Does anyone know what the max speed limits are on this line?

 

[jfollows]

Hi apologies if this is posted in the wrong part of the forum. I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry and it will be my first time doing that route. Does anyone know what the max speed limits are on this line?

Sectional Appendix, starting with https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sectional-appendix/Sectional Appendix full PDFs December 24/London North Western (South) Sectional Appendix December 2024.pdf

National Electronic Sectional Appendix - Network Rail

The National Electronic Sectional Appendix contains detailed information useful to operators about network capability, as well as other data.

www.networkrail.co.uk

All the information you’re after is in these documents.

 

[brad465]

Hi apologies if this is posted in the wrong part of the forum. I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry and it will be my first time doing that route. Does anyone know what the max speed limits are on this line?

The max IIRC is 100mph, present most of the way between Bromsgrove and Cheltenham Spa. Beyond Gloucester the max is 90mph to Newport, then 95 for HST differential to just east of Cardiff Central.

 

[stuu]

Hi apologies if this is posted in the wrong part of the forum. I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry and it will be my first time doing that route. Does anyone know what the max speed limits are on this line?

Openrailwaymap shows speed limits. Can't comment on it's accuracy though

 

[chrisjo]

I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry ...

I admire your optimism. Have you done a risk assessment?

 

[brad465]

Openrailwaymap shows speed limits. Can't comment on it's accuracy though

Overall accurate, although I missed out on travelling along the North Downs line at 110mph.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Hi apologies if this is posted in the wrong part of the forum. I'm planning a trip from Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central on CrossCountry and it will be my first time doing that route. Does anyone know what the max speed limits are on this line?

100mph is the maximum speed on most of the Midland route, from Bromsgrove south to just before the junction with the GW route at Westerleigh (slower between Cheltenham and Gloucester).
There's then a tiny bit of 125 between Westerleigh and Bristol Parkway but I doubt you will get up to that after the slow junction (40mph).
100 is also the best you get on to Cardiff (75 in the tunnel).

 

[zwk500]

There's then a tiny bit of 125 between Westerleigh and Bristol Parkway but I doubt you will get up to that after the slow junction (40mph).
100 is also the best you get on to Cardiff (75 in the tunnel).

OP will definitely struggle to do 125mph if they're on the Birmingham - Cardiff direct XC service via Gloucester and Lydney, avoiding the change at Parkway and Tunnel.