HS1 between Folkestone & Ashford

[Cletus]

Why does the HS1 between the Channel Tunnel and Ashford use the original track?

Surely it would make sense for the trains to use the higher speed line and then that would improve journey times?

 

[TGV]

HS1 does go from Ashford to Eurotunnel. Eurostars use that 300km/h TVM equipped section. There is an old 3rd rail line running along side it for most of that distance up to Dollands Moor - maybe you're getting confused with that?

The Southeastern High Speed services don't use that section of HS1 because they diverge at Ashford and head towards Folkstone and Dover which uses the old track - not the new high speed line.

 

[Cletus]

HS1 does go from Ashford to Eurotunnel. Eurostars use that 300km/h TVM equipped section. There is an old 3rd rail line running along side it for most of that distance up to Dollands Moor - maybe you're getting confused with that?

The Southeastern High Speed services don't use that section of HS1 because they diverge at Ashford and head towards Folkstone and Dover which uses the old track - not the new high speed line.

The HS1 trundles along the same track as the Charing Cross trains through Westenhanger / Sandling, so my question was, why doesn't it use the high speed track between Dollands Moor & Ashford as it does between Ashford & St Pancras? Or there differences I don't know about?

 

[TGV]

HS1 is the track... are you referring to the Southeastern trains that go from Dover Priory to St Pancras?

 

[Cletus]

Sorry, yes I meant trains

 

[TGV]

The Southeastern Highspeed trains don't use that section of CTRL because they need to serve the two stations in Folkestone on the way to/from Dover. And they are not on the high speed track - they need to leave HS1 at Ashford and trundle through Westenhanger because there is no other way for them.

 

[notadriver]

You would need a new junction near Saltwood. Quite a lot of money for a very small saving in journey time.