Wcml

[devon_metro]

Are any parts 140Mph and also how much 110mph running is still in place?

Cheers.

 

[tubenutter]

I may be completely wrong but from what Ive picked up the top speed is 125mph for tilters, and 110mph for non-tilters. Someone else please confirm that or tell me it's wrong lol

 

[Ascot]

125 max.
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/documents/3116_Route 18 WCML.pdf

Go down a few pages for lines speeds

 

[yorkie]

I may be completely wrong but from what Ive picked up the top speed is 125mph for tilters, and 110mph for non-tilters. Someone else please confirm that or tell me it's wrong lol

It's claimed that recently a "HST 125" board has gone up somewhere on the WCML (before anyone says anything, yes Voyagers and Pendos count as HSTs for line speed purposes)

 

[Ascot]

I know it's 110 at Marston Green, that was upgraded last year some time. Don't know what the rest is as the 110 is the Up direction towards International so it might be faster before then

 

[Guinness]

In the Mid 1990s the WCML infrastructure was a complete and utter wreck, some of the original electrification structure was still there. With or without ERTMS, EPS or Virgin Trains the WCML would of need some form of Modernisation. In 1997s Richard Branson had big ideas...

The original project would of brought speeds of up to 140mph because of Pendolinos and the original project been designed with Cab Signalling (ERTMS) in Pendolinos, hence the big gap in the middle of the Main Panel in the Cab. ERTMS would of meant trains been able to run faster because of direct signalling communication to the driver rather than via Lineside Signals.

Railtrack, who at the time under bad management and then suffered Hatfield Accident slimmed down the project and scrapped the ERTMS but left the EPS (Enhanced Permissible Speed) tilt to me and you to allow some benefits from the project. A major rescheduling was made and £2b costs were cut.

In late 2003, EPS operation was successfully in the operation south of Crewe to Hemel Hempstead. After this EPS Operation was fully in operation on the Manchester route cutting journey times by 15 - 25 minutes.

In December 2007, Network Rail and Virgin are hoping for 135 mph operation along the Trent Valley Section, Stafford - Rugby as this section is relatively Straight. This all depends on Signalling Block Lengths etc.

The route still has 110mph Non-Tilt operation in use but the only parts, the WCML is very curvy in places and the line speed sometimes does not pass 95mph for Non-Tilt Trains.

 

[devon_metro]

Ok thanks. Seems a bit of a waste of the 140mph capability of the WCML! Come on Network Fail-get your act together!

 

[voyagerdude220]

It's claimed that recently a "HST 125" board has gone up somewhere on the WCML (before anyone says anything, yes Voyagers and Pendos count as HSTs for line speed purposes)

There's been one between Stafford & Wolves, for a while, unless its been removed? It's allways fast between the two points, and is certainly at least 110 mph.

 

[westcoaster]

most of the wcml south of rugby is 100mph+, northampton loop is 75 north of npt and 75-100mph south of northampton, then south of that is about 90-125mph, all the speed signs i know are eps signs.

 

[ntanswell]

Stafford to Wolverhampton is HST125

 

[voyagerdude220]

Stafford to Wolverhampton is HST125

Yeah i thought so, thanks for confirming. Do you know how long it has been at 125?