Maximising northern WCML capacity once HS2 is open

[Halish Railway]

Moderator note: Split from

HS2 frequency to remain at 18 trains per hour confirms minister

Modern Railways June 2020: page 14: The HS2 minister confirmed to the House of Commons transport committee that HS2 will not be cut to 14tph as recommended by the review and will remain at 18tph.

www.railforums.co.uk

Surely a policy could be implemented of having all freight traffic on the northern WCML be capable of keeping up to the timings of a Class 92 (so modest acceleration, power, a 75mph top speed & ideally being electric). Obviously this would require the replacement of 60mph wagons (the only ones I can think of are coal wagons which are now surplus to requirement).

A locomotive such as a Stadler Eurodual, bimode or electric only could be an ideal replacement to Class 66s, assuming that it can be adapted to the loading gauge (what is it on the WCML?).

Produktdetail - Stadler

www.stadlerrail.com

Back on topic, I’ll assume that the standard Oxenholme to Carlisle service pattern will be:
2tph Euston to Scotland
1tph Curzon Street to Scotland
1tph Classic line Euston to Scotland via Birmingham
1tph Manchester Airport to Scotland
1tph miscellaneous e.g. Liverpool to Scotland, open access & rush hour extras.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

6tph between Oxenholme and Carlisle? What is the signalling headway? Are the two trains from Euston at even intervals?
Even if they ran flighted that would be most of the hour once stops at Oxenholme and Penrith are allowed for.

2 from Euston only stop at Preston and Carlisle on that section

 

[Bletchleyite]

2 from Euston only stop at Preston and Carlisle on that section

I don't think he means stopping, I think he means what will be on the line, and it is correct, and is only 1tph more than now (I think).

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

I don't think he means stopping, I think he means what will be on the line, and it is correct, and is only 1tph more than now (I think).

yes it is correct. It is only 1 more than now as you said.

 

[The Planner]

6tph between Oxenholme and Carlisle? What is the signalling headway? Are the two trains from Euston at even intervals?
Even if they ran flighted that would be most of the hour once stops at Oxenholme and Penrith are allowed for.

4 minute headway, with a limit of 12tph in each direction, not that you would ever get close to that.