Track speed between Stockport and Stoke

[luke1420]

Hi,
I was just wondering if any one could tell me what the advantage track speed between Stockport-Macc and Stoke is? do the 390's reach 125 anywhere down this stretch? if so where? and do 220/221's travel at different speeds to the 390's?

Cheers, Luke

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Hi,
I was just wondering if any one could tell me what the advantage track speed between Stockport-Macc and Stoke is? do the 390's reach 125 anywhere down this stretch? if so where? and do 220/221's travel at different speeds to the 390's?
Cheers, Luke

Yes, there are 125mph sections between Kidsgrove and Macclesfield (with a short dip to 105 at Congleton), and for 3 miles around Poynton (Down only, 105 on the Up).
However the non-EPS line speed is 110/115 max and often less.
That means Virgin services can and do reach 125, while XC are limited to 110 /115 because they stopped using tilt on their 221s.
Although VT 221s could do 125 I don't think any are diagrammed over the North Staffs route.

Before the WCRM upgrade the max speed on the North Staffs was 85, so it is quite a bit faster than before.
There are still pinch points at all the junctions though, with 75 at Stone and Kidsgrove, 45/50 at Colwich, and 45 at Cheadle Hulme (and 45 also through the tunnel at Macclesfield).

 

[cambsy]

You can download line speeds from Network Rail website, on W.C.M.L they are valid from 2009, and u can download all line speeds of the UK. though if speeds were increased recently then they may be out of date, go to website and type in search box line speeds, they are done by railway regions, they are track diagrams with line speeds on them.

 

[luke1420]

Could you please send me a link to the network rail website where the maps is, I can't seem to find it.

 

[AE]

Try here ...

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/10563.aspx