Midlands Engine Rail - Plans Published

[edwin_m]

I think there's space elsewhere - segregated tracks onto the eastern branch and also only 9tph each way currently proposed between the main central junction and Toton.

However that section is long enough that a unit similar to a 395 (225km/h maximum) would eat up several paths by being slower than the 360km/h HS2 units. Regional trains elsewhere on the HS2 network, such as Manchester to Liverpool and probably Leeds to Sheffield, only use it for much shorter sections so using a 225km/h unit is less of a problem. I'm not sure if they will specify a full-fat (but possibly shorter) HS2 classic compatible for Birmingham to Nottingham.

 

[crosscity]

From what I have read about the Bordesley chords one is for the Leicester and Nottingham services to terminate at Moor Street instead of New Street.

I think the other chord is for the new service to Kings Norton via Moseley for which the stations have been financed and awaiting construction.

Although eventually trains calling at the new Camp Hill line stations (Moseley etc) would use one of the new chords, they could in the meantime run on existing lines into New St. Indeed, before electrification of the Crosscity line, trains were often diverted via Camp Hill if there was disruption or engineering works on the Bournville line. Capacity would be restricted though, so it might only be a token hourly service.

 

[The Planner]

Although eventually trains calling at the new Camp Hill line stations (Moseley etc) would use one of the new chords, they could in the meantime run on existing lines into New St. Indeed, before electrification of the Crosscity line, trains were often diverted via Camp Hill if there was disruption or engineering works on the Bournville line. Capacity would be restricted though, so it might only be a token hourly service.

I don't think anyone really knows what the service serving the Camp Hill stations will be (it will be a good 2½ years before they open anyway), talk of extensions of the Shrewsbury service, turning at Kings Norton, going to Longbridge etc...

 

[si404]

The plan from the West Midlands Rail Executive has aspirational (2034) service levels of 6tph stopping on the Camp Hill stations on one map, and 3tph (2tph Moor Street-all stops except Basall Heath*-New Street, 1tph Moor Street-all stops-Hazelwell-non stop-Droitwich-all stops-Hereford). It's a bit weird!

*which is shown as being south of Kings Heath!

 

[si404]

I'm not sure if they will specify a full-fat (but possibly shorter) HS2 classic compatible for Birmingham to Nottingham.

Looking at the document, they seem to be treating it as no different to the London/Birmingham to Liverpool, North East, Scotland, Stoke and Sheffield classic-compatibles (or as they call them "conventional-compatible") services. I also would imagine a Javelin-esque service would not bypass Sheffield, but their Leeds-Bedford service is shown as doing that.

 

[edwin_m]

Looking at the document, they seem to be treating it as no different to the London/Birmingham to Liverpool, North East, Scotland, Stoke and Sheffield classic-compatibles (or as they call them "conventional-compatible") services. I also would imagine a Javelin-esque service would not bypass Sheffield, but their Leeds-Bedford service is shown as doing that.

That does indeed suggest a small fleet of 360kph CCs, or perhaps just a hope of getting a few more added to the main HS2 fleet.

 

[si404]

The latter, I imagine. It's relatively easy to lobby for a few extra trains added to an order that hasn't yet been worked out how many are needed. It's harder to then make your own order.