Idea for Pendolinos after HS2

[MK Tom]

I always get tetchy when people talk about more WCML stops after 2026 - it'd be good for Northampton and Watford to get more long-distance connections, but equally MKC and Stafford and other major centres bypassed by HS2 shouldn't have their express services significantly slowed down. We don't want MK-Manchester services picking up all the Trent Valley stops for example, and certainly not going via Northampton unless there are major linespeed improvements between there and Rugby.

 

[Hadders]

I always get tetchy when people talk about more WCML stops after 2026 - it'd be good for Northampton and Watford to get more long-distance connections, but equally MKC and Stafford and other major centres bypassed by HS2 shouldn't have their express services significantly slowed down. We don't want MK-Manchester services picking up all the Trent Valley stops for example, and certainly not going via Northampton unless there are major linespeed improvements between there and Rugby.

I don't know about Stafford but bear in mind there's only one train an hour between Milton Keynes and Manchester. One fast service could be retained with the others services picking up additional stops in the Trent Valley, for example.

 

[DenmarkRail]

I always get tetchy when people talk about more WCML stops after 2026 - it'd be good for Northampton and Watford to get more long-distance connections, but equally MKC and Stafford and other major centres bypassed by HS2 shouldn't have their express services significantly slowed down. We don't want MK-Manchester services picking up all the Trent Valley stops for example, and certainly not going via Northampton unless there are major linespeed improvements between there and Rugby.

I agree! I DO NOT want to get on a train from Stafford to London, which stops at Rugely, and Tamworth! I mean... Why do people even want to go there?!!

 

[TheDavibob]

I agree! I DO NOT want to get on a train from Stafford to London, which stops at Rugely, and Tamworth! I mean... Why do people even want to go there?!!

Well, Tamworth (pop. 77k) is larger than Stafford (63k); Lichfield (32k, district >100k) is a decent half Stafford's size and Rugeley (24k) not much smaller. Tamworth also gives Burton (72k) a solid southward connection; Lichfield the same for a chunk of northern Birmingham.

There's an argument for stopping at them. The line configuration also implies you might as well stop at Lichfield Trent Valley if stopping at Tamworth.

 

[yorkie]

I agree! I DO NOT want to get on a train from Stafford to London, which stops at Rugely, and Tamworth! I mean... Why do people even want to go there?!!

For the same reasons they may want to go to Stafford?

Also, have you considered the possibility that people from Rugeley and Tamworth might also want to go to London?

 

[DenmarkRail]

For the same reasons they may want to go to Stafford?

Also, have you considered the possibility that people from Rugeley and Tamworth might also want to go to London?

They should get a stopper train then... The express trains should stay 1 stop to London!

 

[yorkie]

They should get a stopper train then... The express trains should stay 1 stop to London!

The true express trains will be on HS2! Out of interest, do you have a list of WCML stations which should be "1 stop to London"?

 

[D365]

Out of interest, do you have a list of WCML stations which should be "1 stop to London"?

Tring, Winsford, Leyland, Norton Bridge

 

[DenmarkRail]

The true express trains will be on HS2! Out of interest, do you have a list of WCML stations which should be "1 stop to London"?

I just mean, some people have been screwed over by HS2, and will loose our reliable fast trains to London... I expect an 1hr20mins service, not anything above, and it looks like the new post HS2 trains will be 1hr45 mins with these new stops!

 

[fowler9]

Given that Liverpool is not on the HS2 network plans I am not excited by some peoples idea to send our direct London service via Northampton. On other threads there are already ideas that we can terminate long distance trains to Liverpool at Warrington and dump people on to an all shacks to Central. It is no wonder people in Liverpool are viewed to have an attitude problem when our fellow countrymen come out with this kind of nonsense.

 

[NSEFAN]

Given that Liverpool is not on the HS2 network plans I am not excited by some peoples idea to send our direct London service via Northampton. On other threads there are already ideas that we can terminate long distance trains to Liverpool at Warrington and dump people on to an all shacks to Central. It is no wonder people in Liverpool are viewed to have an attitude problem when our fellow countrymen come out with this kind of nonsense.

Is Liverpool not getting classic-compatible trains for HS2, I.e. High speed south of Crewe?

 

[The Ham]

I just mean, some people have been screwed over by HS2, and will loose our reliable fast trains to London... I expect an 1hr20mins service, not anything above, and it looks like the new post HS2 trains will be 1hr45 mins with these new stops!

Would you accept a slightly slower service, maybe 1:30 (+3 stops) but in an increased frequency, say 2tph (probably a different mix of stops over the two train) rather than 1tph?

As that is probably the more likely outcome, as the would be fewer long distance passengers and so the trains would need to attract more shorter distance passengers.

There's always going to be winners and losers when timeless change like this, yet calling at a junction station where the service doesn't currently could benefit those trying to get somewhere else.

If you do "win" and retain just one stop before London you may find such a service short lived or the frequency of such a service gets reduced (1 train per day?) if the passengers don't come. Yet, if you "loose" and have to tolerate 3 extra stops the service could be more certain to stay that way.

 

[The Planner]

I just mean, some people have been screwed over by HS2, and will loose our reliable fast trains to London... I expect an 1hr20mins service, not anything above, and it looks like the new post HS2 trains will be 1hr45 mins with these new stops!

Who has said your journey time will increase that much? No one thats who and as for reliability, what is going to change to degrade that? It will be the same trains on the same infrastructure.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would you accept a slightly slower service, maybe 1:30 (+3 stops) but in an increased frequency, say 2tph (probably a different mix of stops over the two train) rather than 1tph?

I was going to say exactly that. What there will be is a slower but more frequent service.

People do seem to like the Scotland via Birmingham through service despite it being slow. Though you do of course have a choice, you can either save half an hour and change at Crewe or lose half an hour and go direct, the timetable allows for either and the planners generally offer both, and there seems to be a fairly even split.

 

[CosherB]

I just mean, some people have been screwed over by HS2, and will loose our reliable fast trains to London... I expect an 1hr20mins service, not anything above, and it looks like the new post HS2 trains will be 1hr45 mins with these new stops!

Maybe you could drive so you wouldn't have to stop at all, and enjoy a true door-to-door service?

 

[fowler9]

Is Liverpool not getting classic-compatible trains for HS2, I.e. High speed south of Crewe?

Nothing has been agreed north of Birmingham yet has it? If we can have classic compatible and Pendolinos going via Northampton then they can fill their boots. Happy days

 

[Ianno87]

Nothing has been agreed north of Birmingham yet has it? If we can have classic compatible and Pendolinos going via Northampton then they can fill their boots. Happy days

From Phase 1 onwards, Liverpool will have 2tph via HS2 to Euston. Faster and more frequent than the current Pendolino service to Euston.

Joins HS2 at Lichfield in Phase 1, then Crewe once Phase 2 opens.

 

[fowler9]

From Phase 1 onwards, Liverpool will have 2tph via HS2 to Euston. Faster and more frequent than the current Pendolino service to Euston.

Joins HS2 at Lichfield in Phase 1, then Crewe once Phase 2 opens.

Cheers mate, I don't follow things as closely as I once did.

 

[absolutelymilk]

They could even be used for a Preston to Newcastle service via Manchester and Leeds if not wanted elsewhere!