Tracking Line Speed Increases

[Jozhua]

Of course, while there is a lot of focus on headline speeds (e.g. 125mph, 186mph, 225mph), much of the work on the "legacy" network these days is focused on dealing with slow spots to increase average speeds across the network.

Examples I'm aware of recently are Salford Crescent - Bolton, Ambergate Junction and Derby Station. I know Salford - Bolton went from 75 -100mph, but it's difficult to find figures for Ambergate for example.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade seems to be fairly quiet on any "speed up" front!

Is there rail speed maps where you can move forward/backward in time? If anyone is aware of such things, or even just a big list of line speed changes, I'd love to see them!

 

[adamedwards]

Based on yesterday's journey, improving the exit speeds from Cambridge going south from 15 mph would be a good gain. I guess that has to await the 4 tracking south to Shepreth Junction?

 

[Magdalia]

Based on yesterday's journey, improving the exit speeds from Cambridge going south from 15 mph would be a good gain. I guess that has to await the 4 tracking south to Shepreth Junction?

The up departure from Cambridge has always been slow, and there's virtually nothing to gain from increasing speed limits at the south end of the station. Passing Shepreth Branch Junction in under 4 minutes from starting at Cambridge has always been difficult, especially for Kings Cross trains that have a 30 mph restriction at Shepreth Branch Junction. These don't get much above 60 mph before having to slow down again on the approach control for the junction. The speed restrictions at the south end of the station only really make a difference for Liverpool Street or Stansted trains that don't stop at Shelford. For many years now the fastest up road departures from Cambridge have been from platform 4 out onto the through line because it is the only route where there's enough distance to complete a running brake test before the start of 90 mph track.

The changes to trackwork at Cambridge associated with the proposed new Cambridge South station are minor. And of course anything departing Cambridge and stopping again at Cambridge South won't be reaching a high speed anyway.

Four tracks all the way to Shepreth Branch Junction will only happen if East West Rail on a southern approach is built.