HS2 Getting Slower?

[mallard]

Has anybody else noticed that HS2 press reports seem to be progressively lowering the speed of the proposed line? When it was first announced, it was 250MPH, then 225MPH, now it seems to be reported as 200MPH...

Is this the result of cost-cutting or changes in planned alignment or something? At this rate, by the time they actually build it, it'll end up no faster than the current WCML!

 

[WatcherZero]

It was always to be a line capable of operating 250mph for future proofing but with initially 225mph trains (the reasonable expectation of max train speeds at the time of opening). Typically media latch on to the headline 250mph initially before moving to the more accurate 225mph later when reporting in depth, then when casually reporting they round it as 'over 200 mph' because they believe readers are turned off by fine detail.

 

[The Barlow Boy]

It was always to be a line capable of operating 250mph for future proofing but with initially 225mph trains (the reasonable expectation of max train speeds at the time of opening). Typically media latch on to the headline 250mph initially before moving to the more accurate 225mph later when reporting in depth, then when casually reporting they round it as 'over 200 mph' because they believe readers are turned off by fine detail.

They are. Fine detail is for pedants.

 

[YesToHS2]

Usually, critics. use 250mph followed some emotive wording to make HS2 sound scary to the general public. Supporters or those publishing neutral articles usually state the actual speed of HS2 trains to be around 220/225mph. Perhaps some articles use 200mph+ just as general figure.

The line will be capable of supporting trains with a top speed of 250mph but that is only so that the line will be future proofed. With the government predicting that trains will be able to reliably and efficiently reach of top speed of 225mph by 2025.