East West Rail Link 2 - Manton Junction Upgrade?

[Berneylegs]

I was thinking why there can’t be an additional curve by installed at Manton Junction to allow an East West service run East Anglia - Peterborough - Stamford - Corby - Kettering - Wellingborough - Bedford and beyond?

Even a double back at Oakham could significantly open up journey opportunities, giving direct links between a number of key towns and Cities in the East/South Midlands on top of the planned route from Cambridge to Oxford at present?

 

[edwin_m]

This was looked at as an option for East West Rail and rejected because it was too slow compared to a new route between Bedford and Cambridge.

 

[MarkyT]

This was looked at as an option for East West Rail and rejected because it was too slow compared to a new route between Bedford and Cambridge.

I agree it would be an awfully long journey from Bedford to Cambridge that way, but as a link from the Midland just to Peterborough, it might make some sense, not least for the intercity connections to the north it enables. Perhaps the EMT London-Corby trains might be extended to Peterborough.

 

[The Ham]

I agree it would be an awfully long journey from Bedford to Cambridge that way, but as a link from the Midland just to Peterborough, it might make some sense, not least for the intercity connections to the north it enables. Perhaps the EMT London-Corby trains might be extended to Peterborough.

As an in addition to rather than the primary East West service then it could be a useful service. Especially if, as suggested above, it is an extension of an existing service.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

I agree it would be an awfully long journey from Bedford to Cambridge that way, but as a link from the Midland just to Peterborough, it might make some sense, not least for the intercity connections to the north it enables. Perhaps the EMT London-Corby trains might be extended to Peterborough.

The idea of electrifying the MML between Kettering and Corby was specifically to enable that service to be all-electric. The line between Manton and Peterborough has not been electrified, so little chance of those trains being sent forward even if Manton Junction could be reshaped.

 

[cle]

As others have said, it does make sense geographically - but with Corby going to EMUs, there wouldn't be anything to run there. The services needn't be ex-London either - I don't think Oakham and Stamford direct London services are enough of a draw, given how good the service is from Peterborough.

In the future, E/W would be the obvious candidate, but that is a long way to Cambridge and was discounted. However - if the decision was made to pursue another route, or set of services to Peterborough (relieving E/W) - AND if the curve was useful for freight (again, off E/W), then possibly so.

 

[mr_jrt]

If you were to wire the Birmingham-Cambridge route, then perhaps Leicester to Peterborough might make sense as a starting point, and then you could project the Corby services to Peterborough into the bargain to help swing it. They certainly seem the most logical services to extend rather than EWR's.

 

[cle]

Yes I thought that. Getting well into post-HS2 country, and assuming a more semi-fast ECML with most calling at Peterborough - but if that section was wired, you might consider St Pancras - Corby - Peterborough - Kings Cross workings. Split or not, operationally, it could work. And provide some new journey options in either direction, including Luton Airport. All with a Thameslink operator, if such things exists by then.

You need Peterborough - Ely - Norwich too, ideally. And some Fen strengthening and signalling. Would open up even more possibilities for the region, which is one of the few 'booming', or at minimum, healthy - by virtue of Cambridge.