Birmingham New Street - Curzon street Connection

[matacaster]

1. Are there any trains which terminate at New Street which, given a connecting track on approaches, could be then transferred to Curzon Street which will have spare platform capacity?
2. If above is possible, then could some of the HS2 trains go to New Street instead, again assuming a new track connection?

 

[The Planner]

1. Are there any trains which terminate at New Street which, given a connecting track on approaches, could be then transferred to Curzon Street which will have spare platform capacity?
2. If above is possible, then could some of the HS2 trains go to New Street instead, again assuming a new track connection?

No, Curzon St is much higher than the existing railway. It doesn't solve anything anyway, New St is full, and even if you moved a service to Curzon St, you still have used the capacity to/from Birmingham to Rugby.

 

[cle]

You could relocate services entirely - for example you might consider the Liverpool services (replace them with others making similar calls e.g. Preston or a Crewe) - and run new services via Handsacre out of Curzon St up onto the WCML.

Otherwise, the Manchesters are through (South Coast / Bristol) and the Scotland also (Euston) - and nothing much to North Wales runs the WCML way any more.

That's basically it. A lot of folks consider the Manchester-Stoke stopper to be a potential extension prospect to Curzon St. Slow pattern but far more direct and with a comparable end to end journey time, plus new connections into Birmingham from Stoke etc.

 

[Dr Hoo]

The possible expansion and re-modelling of Moor Street with new curves and platforms could ‘divert’ some New Street services into the same ‘complex’ as Curzon Street/ Moor Street/ Midland Metro.

 

[Halifaxlad]

I have previously thought about constructing a short chord to connect HS2 onto the line to Derby to make use of the new Curzon St which will otherwise be largely empty although Nottingham couldnt be served without reversing at Derby so I ruled that out.
Eitherway isnt HS2 supposed to be digital signalling throughout which would restrict what trains could use it ?

 

[The Planner]

I have previously thought about constructing a short chord to connect HS2 onto the line to Derby to make use of the new Curzon St which will otherwise be largely empty although Nottingham couldnt be served without reversing at Derby so I ruled that out.
Eitherway isnt HS2 supposed to be digital signalling throughout which would restrict what trains could use it ?

You need to electrify to wherever it is you are expecting those trains to go. You can avoid Derby by turning off at Stenson. HS2 will be using conventional signalling from Handsacre anyway, it doesnt matter.

The possible expansion and re-modelling of Moor Street with new curves and platforms could ‘divert’ some New Street services into the same ‘complex’ as Curzon Street/ Moor Street/ Midland Metro.

They will only remove trains from the middle and high side of New St.

 

[cle]

I have previously thought about constructing a short chord to connect HS2 onto the line to Derby to make use of the new Curzon St which will otherwise be largely empty although Nottingham couldnt be served without reversing at Derby so I ruled that out.
Eitherway isnt HS2 supposed to be digital signalling throughout which would restrict what trains could use it ?

It's not a terrible idea, if it is wired to Sheffield by then, and isn't too tricky - it might be worth doing. Then Tamworth/Burton and other 'XC' stops could increase for more regional users.

 

[Halifaxlad]

You need to electrify to wherever it is you are expecting those trains to go. You can avoid Derby by turning off at Stenson. HS2 will be using conventional signalling from Handsacre anyway, it doesnt matter.

That goes without saying doesnt' it ?

Anyway isnt handsacre above Birmingham and where the junction to the East Midlands was planned ? Which would mean any services below handsacre would have to be compatible with digital signalling.

 

[The Planner]

That goes without saying doesnt' it ?

So its not "just" building a link then is it.

Anyway isnt handsacre above Birmingham and where the junction to the East Midlands was planned ? Which would mean any services below handsacre would have to be compatible with digital signalling.

Depends who is running them, if its HS2, then its already incorporated. By the time this ever happened, then fleets will start to have it anyway based on other schemes.