Use Euston-OOC to start western HS line?

[HSTEd]

That ignores the use of the "spare" capacity further north for regional trains.

Regional trains won't come close to filling the line however, even with short high speed units like a minimum length AGV.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Ok, but if cancelling Euston means that the Chilterns aren't scarred by yet another major infrastructure development and that the crucial part north of B'ham is built first.

 

[edwin_m]

Regional trains won't come close to filling the line however, even with short high speed units like a minimum length AGV.

HS2 via Manchester Airport for example might have 3TPH London, 2TPH Birmingham, 4TPH Manchester-Liverpool. That's nearly double the number of trains with HS2 only. It's only half the 18TPH projected for HS2 out of London, but still a reasonable number and probably close to the maximum possible without OOC style parallel platforms at the Airport station. The figures would be similar on the eastern HS2 leg.

 

[ABB125]

HS2 via Manchester Airport for example might have 3TPH London, 2TPH Birmingham, 4TPH Manchester-Liverpool. That's nearly double the number of trains with HS2 only. It's only half the 18TPH projected for HS2 out of London, but still a reasonable number and probably close to the maximum possible without OOC style parallel platforms at the Airport station. The figures would be similar on the eastern HS2 leg.

There are only going to be two platforms at Manchester Airport? That seems rather short sighted to me.
If there's provision to add more later it's less of an issue, but it wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't any provision.

 

[tasky]

Given any terminus in London looks like it would be expensive, what about the option of not having a terminus – building a tunnel and connecting the south western line to HS2, and then having mainline trains running across the country, as in France and Germany?

Through services from the south coast and Brighton to the North probably wouldn't be worth doing it for its own sake, but if a tunnel turned out cheaper than having to create a major terminus in central London it might be an option?

You would still have to have a station in central London but it could presumably be smaller if there was no need to terminate, and fit in more places.

 

[Bald Rick]

Given any terminus in London looks like it would be expensive, what about the option of not having a terminus – building a tunnel and connecting the south western line to HS2, and then having mainline trains running across the country, as in France and Germany?

Through services from the south coast and Brighton to the North probably wouldn't be worth doing it for its own sake, but if a tunnel turned out cheaper than having to create a major terminus in central London it might be an option?

You would still have to have a station in central London but it could presumably be smaller if there was no need to terminate, and fit in more places.

The cost of an underground high speed station - that would need at least 4 platforms - would be far higher than the cost of rebuilding Euston. That’s even if you could find somewhere to put it.