HS2: Should we just cancel it now?! | Ep 45
We ask whether the problematic Trent Valley bottleneck can ever be resolved on the WCML.
And controversially, we ask whether we should just cancel HS2 right now. Is there any point in continuing if we only build Phase 1?
We also bring you some little teasers from our upcoming videos on Network Rail’s New Measurement Train (the Flying Banana as it is often known), and the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) in South Wales.
In this episode:
00:00 Intro
05:41 West Coast Main Line timetable overview and Virgin Trains growth
13:00 Very High Frequency (VHF) timetable with Simon Pilkington
27:50 How critical to capacity and performance is tilt?
33:06 Bottleneck through the Trent Valley
36:26 Why Hs2 Phase 2A solves the bottleneck
38:14 HS2 timetable with William Barter
52:08 What difference does tilt and electric rather than diesel make?
58:04 Should we just cancel HS2?
59:32 Teaser from the New Measurement Train and Global Centre of Rail Excellence
01:03:25 Railway News Round Up
01:03:27 Dorset Metro
01:04:34 Report into how the railway deals with stranded trains
01:05:34 Charter at the Severn Valley Railway to support Hope House Children’s Hospice
01:06:24 Route Availability Calculator
01:07:37 The Quiz
01:11:27 Good news – Avanti West Coast Train Buddies scheme
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Credits:
With thanks to HS2, Avanti West Coast, Network Rail and Roger Carvell (via Creative Commons licence) for the images and b-roll used in this episode.
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
This video discusses the potential cancellation of HS2 and its implications for the West Coast Main Line, featuring insights from experts Simon Pilkington and William Barter. It explores challenges such as the Trent Valley bottleneck and evaluates whether HS2 Phase 1 is sufficient. The content also touches on Network Rail’s New Measurement Train and the Global Centre of Rail Excellence in South Wales. Operators mentioned include Avanti West Coast, East Coast, Network Rail, and Virgin Trains, with locations referenced including Hitchin, Hope, and the Severn Valley Railway.
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