One new chord

[Cambus731]

Billericay to Ingatestone, so direct trains could run between Southend and GE stations such as Chelmsford Witham, Colchester and Clacton

 

[Peter C]

Would a new bit of track from Long Marston onto the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne in the Worcester direction be considered a chord? If so, sounds useful to me - no trains blocking the line at HYB for reversing moves.

-Peter

 

[Cambus731]

Now if that could be combined with the reinstatement of the Braintree to Bishops Stortford line, but diverted to Stansted...
Just think direct trains from Southend, Chelmsford and Braintree to Cambridge and Peterborough. Maybe even Leeds?

 

[Cambus731]

If I may be allowed a 2nd, Burnley Central to join the Preston to Leeds line just east of Burnley Manchester Road, so enabling direct trains from the Colne branch to Bradford, Halifax, Leeds and Manchester via Todmorden and Rochdale.

 

[TrainBoy98]

Between Arundel and Angmering, linking Arun Valley and West Coastway, allowing through Brighton-Horsham trains, and getting rid of the faff of changing at Littlehampton (and reversals when BML south of Three Bridges is out).

 

[TrainBoy98]

Or, Bognor towards Chichester, save the Barnham change. The full-ness of the buses and busyness of the road suggests it could be useful.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

If I may be allowed a 2nd, Burnley Central to join the Preston to Leeds line just east of Burnley Manchester Road, so enabling direct trains from the Colne branch to Bradford, Halifax, Leeds and Manchester via Todmorden and Rochdale.

Combine that with Skipton to Colne reopening and you can run a Leeds-Leeds circular service... a second chord linking Airedale to the Leeds-Harrogate line and you've got a true loop via Harrogate and York!

 

[MontyP]

A chord in the Farnborough area from the SWML towards Farnborough North, to allow direct Woking-Reading services