Recent content by StupidQuestion

I think what is desirable is that security resources are used in the most effective way to stop an attack. This is probably by spending it on intelligence. The excellent posts by others above outline why it is of negligible benefit to have them for (a few) trains and why they are still necessary...

I agree. Given the number of options for a determined person, my guess is that the money spent on security checks would be more effectively spent on intelligence/surveillance, also saving passengers time and inconvenience. Unless there is evidence to the contrary?

I understand your point now, yeah if it was part of Birmingham/London to Scotland it would be a bit of a kink. I was just thinking it might be a cheaper solution for Newcastle to stop it being 'out on a limb' in HSTEd's scenario where a western HS line from manchester to Scotland had been built...

Not quite sure how it would extend journey times, sorry I may have misunderstood. Currently it takes 1h30 from Newcastle to Edinburgh. A high speed line would presumably do it in well under an hour. Newcastle to Manchester I guess would be a similar saving. You may well be right about it being...

Haha yeah, I was just guessing to be honest. You are right, it is 58 miles by road I checked, but the link would not need to go centre to centre. If a Newcastle hs spur and station is built with the line approaching from the West (to avoid going through so many built up areas) then the distance...

If HS2 is extended to Scotland from the Western branch and is also extended to Newcastle on the Eastern branch, would it be possible to just build a connecting HS link from Newcastle west, connecting somewhere around Carlisle, roughly along the A69 route? It would only be 30 miles or so,wouldn't...

I think that Newark plan sounds ideal Willoughby. Would be nice, after MML electrification, to electrify Nottingham - Lincoln. This would allow electric Lincoln - London, Lincoln - Nottingham and Lincoln - Leicester services. Then run 1tph Lincoln - Nottingham 'semi-fast' Lincoln - Newark NG -...

Sounds excellent HSTEd. In what order would you build the network? HS2 first? and then to Scotland maybe but what after that?

Just wondering, have there ever been designs for OHLE masts along the lines of some of these designs for electricity pylons? http://www.ribapylondesign.com/shortlist Maybe it would be suitable for particularly scenic areas. Sorry if this has been asked many times before.

I didn't say anything 'must' me done. Just asked if there were any long term plans to do more redoubling etc. The current service frequency and speed is a bit ridiculous (you can easily beat the train by car despite a lot of twisty roads and traffic in Newtown) and it would be nice to hear it...

How much of the line is doubled between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury? Is it just passing loops or are there some longer stretches? Also, are there any long term plans to double most/all of it? Would make a big difference to have more frequent and faster services. A couple of trains a day from...

Thanks for the response YorkshireBear! The 'Brigg curve' is just in fields and I imagine would be easy enough. I estimate a curve at Gainsborough would have a radius of about 300m without knocking down any buildings etc. I have no idea whether this is too tight or not. Does anyone know? Cheers!

Sorry if this has been talked about before but would be nice to make 'triangle junctions' (not sure what the technical term is) south of gainsborough and north of Brigg to allow Lincoln to Scunthorpe trains via gainsborough central. It currently takes several hours to travel by train between...

OK fair enough. But how about compared to the 'swanlink' idea? Stephen c estimated that would cost around £4bn. Crossrail 2 is estimated to cost £12bn I think. Also, does anyone know roughly how much it costs to expand a tunnel's size compared with boring a complete new one? Say per km for...

Yes, that's what I meant. A new tunnel(s) from bank (in addition to the current crossrail tunnels). Sorry! clearly 48tph would be stretching things.