Rebuilding the 'Little North Western' ?

[HSTEd]

A train could do Leeds to Glasgow via Edinburgh in ~3hr45.

It takes 2hr40 to get from Leeds to Carlisle. I'm not sure a 90mph unit is going to reach Glasgow in a time that can compete with running via the ECML on a soon to be fully electrified, higher speed railway.

 

[AlastairFraser]

A train could do Leeds to Glasgow via Edinburgh in ~3hr45.

It takes 2hr40 to get from Leeds to Carlisle. I'm not sure a 90mph unit is going to reach Glasgow in a time that can compete with running via the ECML on a soon to be fully electrified, higher speed railway.

InkyScrolls already worked out that it would be significantly quicker Leeds to Glasgow via the S and C than the current arrangements IF you used something like an 802. I agree that a MU with a top speed under 100mph wouldn't be suitable.

 

[Halish Railway]

A train could do Leeds to Glasgow via Edinburgh in ~3hr45.

It takes 2hr40 to get from Leeds to Carlisle. I'm not sure a 90mph unit is going to reach Glasgow in a time that can compete with running via the ECML on a soon to be fully electrified, higher speed railway.

I wouldn’t bother hypothesising how fast a 158 can go from Leeds to Glasgow via the S&C. By the time preparation for such a service is done the 158s would be on their way out and hopefully replaced by something with similar performance to a Class 755 on both diesel and electric mode. Such a train is likely to be significantly faster than a 158 along the entire route and could make such a service viable.

I’m still of the opinion that a direct West Yorkshire to Glasgow via the S&C is unlikely to happen any time soon and that the best way to serve this market would be to increase frequency between Leeds and Carlisle by adding a few services via Penrith and Oxenholme that then use an upgraded Bentham line either via a new chord just north of Carnforth or by a reversal at Carnforth, worked by something similar to a Class 755.

 

[30907]

I’m still of the opinion that a direct West Yorkshire to Glasgow via the S&C is unlikely to happen any time soon and that the best way to serve this market would be to increase frequency between Leeds and Carlisle by adding a few services via Penrith and Oxenholme that then use an upgraded Bentham line either via a new chord just north of Carnforth or by a reversal at Carnforth, worked by something similar to a Class 755.

Corrected

Either a through Leeds-Lancaster-Windermere or a Leeds-Carlisle fast (or both!) but don't try and serve both markets with one train.