[Boiler]

I understand HS2 will now hang a right near Nottingham and join the ECML at Newark.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-n ... 274952.amp

[Bones McCoy]

I understand HS2 will now hang a right near Nottingham and join the ECML at Newark.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-n ... 274952.amp

If I understand that correctly, it will then trundle along between the ordinary trains and ordinary speeds.

What a third rate country we are becoming.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Either that or it goes at a decent speed because the other trains have been removed.

[Boiler]

This intrigues me because the ECML was signalled for 140mph running (hence the now-scrapped Class 91s and Mk. IV stock being called InterCity 225s, a reference to their top speed in km/h) but it never did because of the cost in electricity to run the trains at that speed - plus I'm not sure that the power supply could cope either, it certainly wasn't happy when GNER used the NightStar stock on the line.

[Bones McCoy]

Either that or it goes at a decent speed because the other trains have been removed.

That will rather miss the objective to increase capacity.

And don't they require specially specced track to run at the increased speeds?

[Boiler]

Either that or it goes at a decent speed because the other trains have been removed.

That will rather miss the objective to increase capacity.

And don't they require specially specced track to run at the increased speeds?

The main difference is in-cab signalling - at the moment a couple of groups I'm involved with are looking at how to incorporate ETCS into both steam and heritage diesel locomotives so they can continue to run on the main line. The southern end of the ECML (from KGX to Stoke Tunnel) is due to go live with ETCS/ERTMS pretty soon. This will mean the end of traditional signals.

https://www.railjournal.com/news/emu-su ... main-line/

[Watchman]

Not being a train buff, I believe there is some knowledge here; I’ve always been a bit puzzled by HS2 here in the East Mids, as tons of money has been poured into the East Midlands Gateway, massive distribution warehouses and a rail terminal for shipping containers, quite a big set up just NE of airport, so I need it explaining how the two were envisaged to operate in the same area

[Boiler]

Rail unions vow to fight government strike threat

Rail unions have reacted with fury to a government threat to make strike action illegal unless a minimum number of train staff work during a walkout.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said a law would protect freight shipments of goods such as food and fuel.

But unions vowed "fierce resistance" to any curb on the right to strike, calling the move "authoritarian" and "desperate nonsense".

[Tubby Isaacs]

Italy actually has something like this, a guarantee of minimum services on strike days, agreed with Trenitalia. But this is obviously intended to be something imposed rather than agreed.

[Boiler]

Of course, if people can WFH the disruption is minimised....