What would the ideal East Coast Main Line (ECML) look like?

[MatthewE707]

Inspired by the thread about the Great Western Main Line from earlier today, I thought it would be interesting to create a similar thread for the ECML.

What improvements would you make? (not limited to those in the poll)
What would an ideal service pattern look like?

 

[jh64]

Whatever's needed for more regular services for the Northumberland stations between Newcastle and Edinburgh - quad-track, passing loops, fast EMUs, batteries to loop around to Blyth, you name it - and bring back the North Sunderland for day trips to Seahouses!

 

[FGWHST43009]

Whatever's needed for more regular services for the Northumberland stations between Newcastle and Edinburgh - quad-track, passing loops, fast EMUs, batteries to loop around to Blyth, you name it - and bring back the North Sunderland for day trips to Seahouses!

Should help make Newcastle-Edinburgh expresses quicker as well which will be good, no need to worry about catching up with stopper.

For me personally on the ECML I would like a faster Edinburgh-Plymouth CrossCountry service going via Doncaster to achieve the fastest journey times possible. It would also be limited stop so I can get from Newcastle to Bristol Parkway quicker. For rolling stock I'd go for a modern version of the HST but with bi-mode capability. Ideally a few bypasses for curvy bits north of Darlington. Get Newcastle-Birmingham journey time down to 2:30-2:40.

 

[Halish Railway]

I’d say full four tracking of London to Grantham (maybe vice Welwyn if that proves to be too difficult), with the fast lines bypassing Grantham, as well as new bypasses for Newark Northgate / flat crossing and Doncaster for trains heading towards York.

A full rollout of ERTMS, replacement of the poorly performing electrification and track relaying could enable speeds of up to 155 mph on select parts of the route, as well as up to 100 mph on the slow lines south of Grantham.

 

[FGWHST43009]

I’d say full four tracking of London to Grantham (maybe vice Welwyn if that proves to be too difficult), with the fast lines bypassing Grantham, as well as new bypasses for Newark Northgate / flat crossing and Doncaster for trains heading towards York.

A full rollout of ERTMS, replacement of the poorly performing electrification and track relaying could enable speeds of up to 155 mph on select parts of the route, as well as up to 100 mph on the slow lines south of Grantham.

I would add electrification and 4 tracking of the Hambleton route into Leeds to allow faster London-Leeds services. Also 155mph capable stock for CrossCountry that can take advantage of the higher speeds north of Doncaster.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think the only way to properly fix the ECML is HS2 East. Otherwise everything will be a compromise like the new timetable.

 

[FGWHST43009]

I think the only way to properly fix the ECML is HS2 East. Otherwise everything will be a compromise like the new timetable.

I agree, a bit off topic but I would also include a connection in the West Midlands to an electrified XC route to South Wales/the South West, so I can get a direct HS2 service from Newcastle to Cardiff Central.

 

[Narrowgauge725]

For those of us who live close to Berwick stop the December timetable changes which cut our direct trains to London options.

 

[Magdalia]

I think the only way to properly fix the ECML is HS2 East.

I would agree on this. 4 tracks at Welwyn North or Holme Fen are not going to happen. The other key constraint at the south end of the ECML, that nobody mentions, is platform capacity at Kings Cross. Without more platforms at Kings Cross it is very difficult to run more trains.

140mph isn't going to happen either. Compared with 125mph it only saves about 3 seconds per mile and needs uninterrupted 20 mile long sections to save 1 minute.

Looking from the Fens I don't see direct Cambridge-ECML trains or fast trains stopping at Tempsford as the answer. What is needed is 2tph Cambridge-Peterborough for better connections.