Where would you electrify next?

[Trainician]

Could they? How would the trains get to Heathrow? And which MML stations would they serve?

(Hint: there’s a reason the service is planned to go WestHampstead or Brent Cross to Hounslow)

They can get to Heathrow Airport via a junction near Acton Main Line Station and just follow the GWML to Airport Junction and the service I would do is from Bedford so they can call at Flitwick, Harlington, Luton and St Albans City

 

[Railwaysceptic]

They can get to Heathrow Airport via a junction near Acton Main Line Station and just follow the GWML to Airport Junction and the service I would do is from Bedford so they can call at Flitwick, Harlington, Luton and St Albans City

I think you'll find there is a shortage of capacity at Bedford for yet more terminating trains. There is already a capacity problem on the relief lines in the Acton and West Ealing area and that too might impede your plans.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think you'll find there is a shortage of capacity at Bedford for yet more terminating trains. There is already a capacity problem on the relief lines in the Acton and West Ealing area and that too might impede your plans.

...and TfL and HEx between them have already got their hands on all the paths into the airport. There’s a good reason why the published TfL proposals for the Dudding Hill route involve the Kew area, and not the GWML.

 

[Bald Rick]

It was a leading / naughty trap door of a question, and I’m afraid you fell right in.

The Midland Main Line is full; if you want trains to Heathrow, they will be taking the place of trains to London, which (current events notwithstanding) are generally full and standing throughout peak times.

The Great Western Main Line, and Heathrow branch are also full (or will be when the Elizabeth line opens), so if you want trains to he MML you will be removing trains to London.

 

[Trainician]

I would electrify the up and down Hendon lines

 

[Railwaysceptic]

I would electrify the up and down Hendon lines

Really? Why?

 

[Trainician]

Really? Why?

Because it allows the midland main line to free up capacity and then trains can crossover at silkstream Junction onto the MML

 

[Railwaysceptic]

Because it allows the midland main line to free up capacity and then trains can crossover at silkstream Junction onto the MML

Trains already travel via Silkstream Junction to and from the Hendon Lines and they are all diesel hauled. How would electrification of the Hendon Lines help?

 

[Trainician]

Trains already travel via Silkstream Junction to and from the Hendon Lines and they are all diesel hauled. How would electrification of the Hendon Lines help?

It would allow some services on the Hendon lines so that if the slow lines are in trouble then trains can use the Hendon lines for service.

 

[Bald Rick]

It would allow some services on the Hendon lines so that if the slow lines are in trouble then trains can use the Hendon lines for service.

How often does that happen?

Because it allows the midland main line to free up capacity and then trains can crossover at silkstream Junction onto the MML

How, exactly?

 

[Railwaysceptic]

It would allow some services on the Hendon lines so that if the slow lines are in trouble then trains can use the Hendon lines for service.

Presumably you're referring to the Thameslink trains otherwise your electrification scheme doesn't make any sense at all. So, if the slow lines are in trouble as you put it, you shunt the trains onto the west side of the formation . . . and then what?

 

[Halifaxlad]

In Lancashire it would have to be the line from Bolton - Blackburn - Colne.

Whilst in Yorkshire it would have to be Leeds to Knaresborough.

As for the Midlands, the MML really needs to be finished simply because its a Mainline.

 

[Whistler40145]

Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street and include the Sutton Park and Camp Hill routes.

 

[Trainician]

I would electrify the ECML from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Inverness and also the Lincoln section

 

[anthony263]

Rail magazine stating electrification could be back on the agenda. Wonder if the dft have realised how many emus are gonna be stuck in sidings.

Be nice if they will finish off and extend the gwml electrification to Swansea,Oxford Bristol Tm etc

 

[The Ham]

Rail magazine stating electrification could be back on the agenda. Wonder if the dft have realised how many emus are gonna be stuck in sidings.

Be nice if they will finish off and extend the gwml electrification to Swansea,Oxford Bristol Tm etc

It does two other things:
- Boosts the economy in a post Covid-19 world
- Gets us closer to our carbon emission targets

 

[anthony263]

Exactly and the government have got to look for homes for emus that have plenty of life still in them like the class 365s etc.

Electrification will bring a boost to the economy but network rail need to keep costs under control

 

[Whistler40145]

Reigate to Guildford