The Anonymous Widower

Thoughts On A Classic-Compatible Train For High Speed Two

Trains on High Speed Two will start at Euston and some will then lever the high speed line and continue to their destination on the classic  lines.

Trains for Liverpool, Preston and Glasgow will leave High Speed Two at Crewe and the continue to their destinations using the electrified West Coast Main Line. These destinations will be reached in 96, 84 and 218 minutes respectively.

A train is needed with these abilities.

• Cruise at 400 kph on High Speed Two.
• Cruise at 225 kph on the West Coast Main Line.
• Share platforms with existing trains like Class 390 Pendelinos.

In Will The Trains On High Speed Two Have Batteries For Regenerative Braking?, I showed that the kinetic energy in each car of a train for High Speed Two will be about 100 kWh, when running at a full speed of 400 kph.

Imagine a train going from London to Glasgow using High Speed Two and the West Coast Main Line.

At Crewe station, the only change that will be needed to be made is move from a line with a 400 kph speed limit to one with a lower limit of 200 kph, as both lines will use the same 25 KVAC overhead electrification and complimentary signalling systems.

It would be a bit like a car leaving a motorway and then continuing on ordinary roads.

Could The Classic-Compatible Trains Be Bi-Mode Trains?

I don’t see why not!

But probably instead of using diesel engines, advances in battery technology would probably mean that to reach places like Barrow or Burnley from the West Coast Main Line could be done using battery power.

July 6, 2018 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | High Speed Two, High Speed Two Classic-Compatible Trains