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3-car Class 331s are now running on the Leeds North-West routes. My understanding was that this was going to happen when the platform extensions currently underway were completed, allowing 2x3-car services to run. Unfortunately it seems the units are being run already, before the platform works...

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/transpennine-route-upgrade-and-electrification-updates-cp6.88054/ The topography from Google maps seems to match the sketch. No way you're getting four tracks through there without widening the cutting. All doable of course, and...

moderator note - split from here. Yes - although the problem is largely psychological. The whole "Germany was bombed to smithereens which enabled them to start with a fresh slate" argument seems philosophically unsound to me. Winning the war (or more accurately being the junior partner on the...

What is the weakest intercity link between two places on the network, considering capacity, service frequency, speed and size of places served? For the purposes of this exercise, let's only consider the current network, ignoring connections that we think should exist but don't. Intercity...

I'm looking to do some long distance journeys in June involving multiple operators. Is there a facility anywhere that allows you to see when operators release their advance tickets, or do I just keep checking a journey planner until they appear?

I'm familiar with the evolution of Transpennine services from the early 90s following the introduction of the Class 158s. But what was the Leeds-Manchester service like prior to this? I vaguely remember loco-hauled services in the 1980s, but which cross-Pennine line was considered the...

Thought this comment in another thread was an interesting point (although I disagree). My view is that Old Oak Common is significantly more important than merely offering a connection to Heathrow (although that is a significant benefit on its own). Connecting the GWML and HS2 at OOC also...

Mods: Please put in history section if appropriate. Quick question for the Railforums hivemind: The Airedale line used to be four-track from Leeds to Shipley (and also Bingley to Keighley), and the Wharfedale branch was double-tracked throughout. At some point the four-track sections were...

Government doesn't know how derided Integrated Rail Plan 'will work on the ground', Transport minister admits | Yorkshire Post Isn't this the first thing you do when planning transport? You determine what capacity you need to provide, and then you come up with options for delivering it.

The DfT has removed NPR from Transport for the North, which will now be developed by the DfT. Looks like a classic Whitehall powergrab. Labour attacks ‘Whitehall power grab’ over northern rail policy | Transport policy | The Guardian

I remember reading in some rail magazine many moons ago about Intercity's upgrade plans in the 90s once the ECML had been electrified. It went something like: Upgrade WCML, then electrify the GWML, then a further ECML upgrade including a bypass tunnel under York station. Was this an actual plan...

With momentum building for the electrification of MML to Sheffield and Nottingham, should we expect to see the Class 810s replaced by new electric-only trains once electrification is complete, and then a cascade to XC?

This surprisingly informative piece in NCE about the number of platforms needed at Euston is the best explanation I've seen in print to date: Explained: Why 11 platforms are needed at HS2's Euston terminus | New Civil Engineer I've a few questions and thought I'd bring them here given the...

If news reports are to be believed it appears the HS2 eastern leg has been given the go-ahead: HS2 will go to Leeds, promises transport secretary Grant Shapps - Leeds Live (leeds-live.co.uk) Sounds pretty definitive - doesn't sound as if they are preparing to row back on it.

Mods note - split from this thread:https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/will-keir-starmer-last.216099/ No one likes lockdowns. But Starmer recognised early on that they are the only way of stopping the virus raging out of control, and that the quicker you lockdown, the quicker it's over...

Can't even begin to describe the insanity of this proposal by an architects firm in the place of the HS2 eastern leg. Leeds to Sheffield via Mirfield anyone? Alternative northern rail plan tabled to link HS2 and NPR via underground stations - New Civil Engineer

It's come up a number of times in recent threads: What is the point of keeping the Conwy Valley / S&C / Heart of Wales / etc. line open? The level of subsidy per passenger must be enormous. Personally I wouldn't be in favour of cuts because it won't actually make any difference to the overall...

There are a number of problems on the northern WCML and Settle-Carlisle: - Constrained capacity on WCML due to mixed speed running. - Settle-Carlisle is slow... - and it doesn't serve Penrith. So how about building a short link between the two from south of Penrith to north of Appleby. This...

Are we missing a trick in the UK? There are many British lines with wonderful scenery which have great tourist potential. Settle-Carlisle, Highland, West Highland, Welsh and Cumbrian coasts. Why not add some panoramic cars to selected services? With first class seating and a decent restaurant...

The high speed rail map of Germany is odd. There are so many obvious, huge gaps. One would have thought that there would be a high speed rail line all the way from Cologne to Berlin with a high speed connection to Hamburg, but instead it's a patchwork of 'normal' and upgraded lines. Germany has...