Speculative East Coast Main Line Upgrade

[Jorge Da Silva]

If money was no object how would you upgrade the east Coast Main Line. What schemes would you include?
I would:

• Remodel Kings Cross as planned by NR
• Add two new platforms at Doncaster
• Digital Signalling between Edinburgh and London
• A new fourth track between Huntingdon and Woodwalton
• Four Tracking from Edinburgh to Newcastle

Any thing you would add?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Re-electrify using more suitable equipment (e.g. portals rather than the other type) rather than the cheap rubbish that was used.

 

[Aictos]

I would ensure the following schemes were done:

1. Remodel Kings Cross with a reinstated Up Relief Slow from just south of Finsbury Park to Platforms 0 - 5 using the disused eastern bore which would be fully electrified.

2. Reinstate the former Up Slow from Holme to Huntingdon and also reinstate the Slow lines from Yaxley to just before the four tracking starts by the junction to the NVR.

3. Infill electrification from Peterborough to Ely, Newark Northgate to Lincoln and Leeds to Harrogate.

4. IF possible 4 track from Northallerton to Edinburgh.

5. Build a Peterborough Parkway station either to the south of Peterborough to discourage commuters clogging up the City Centre with their cars and have it serve both IC and NSE services.

6. Reinstate the Peterborough facing bay platforms at March and extend the Birmingham to Leicester service to March.

7. Electrify Werrington Junction to Decoy North Junction.

8. Platform extensions where possible.

 

[gordonthemoron]

bypass line at Morpeth for non stopping services. Is there a flyover at Newark?

 

[318266]

If money was no object how would you upgrade the east Coast Main Line. What schemes would you include?
I would:

• Remodel Kings Cross as planned by NR
• Add two new platforms at Doncaster
• Digital Signalling between Edinburgh and London
• A new fourth track between Huntingdon and Woodwalton
• Four Tracking from Edinburgh to Newcastle

Any thing you would add?

I would add 1 million tracks to relieve congestion

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Is there a flyover at Newark?

No. Could do that, that is defiantly needed. You could add the second non-stop track back in at Peterborough.

 

[Esker-pades]

Why 4 tracks from Newcastle to Edinburgh? Surely 2 tracks with passing loops would be perfectly good?

There is no need for Drem to Alnmouth to be quadrupled. Berwick-upon-Tweed station could do with an additional platform.

Drem to Edinburgh Waverley would be good to quadruple, because North Berwick, Dunbar, Mussleburgh etc. could get a decent service.

Loops at Alnmouth station would be nice (not just south of it).

Alnmouth to Morpeth is also fine as it is. Even if one wants to give Pegswood, Widdrington and Acklington a more frequent service, the issue there is that Pacers run under the wires and need to be replaced by 100mph EMUs.

Morpeth to Newcastle could be quadrupled, if only to give a reasonable Morpeth - Newcastle commuter service.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Why 4 tracks from Newcastle to Edinburgh? Surely 2 tracks with passing loops would be perfectly good?

There is no need for Drem to Alnmouth to be quadrupled. Berwick-upon-Tweed station could do with an additional platform.

Drem to Edinburgh Waverley would be good to quadruple, because North Berwick, Dunbar, Mussleburgh etc. could get a decent service.

Loops at Alnmouth station would be nice (not just south of it).

Alnmouth to Morpeth is also fine as it is. Even if one wants to give Pegswood, Widdrington and Acklington a more frequent service, the issue there is that Pacers run under the wires and need to be replaced by 100mph EMUs.

Morpeth to Newcastle could be quadrupled, if only to give a reasonable Morpeth - Newcastle commuter service.

Thats true. I know there are capacity issues between Edinburgh and Newcastle and your plan sounds good.

So an adaption to my original plan so far I would.

• Remodel Kings Cross as planned by NR
• Add two new platforms at Doncaster
• Digital Signalling between Edinburgh and London
• A new fourth track between Huntingdon and Woodwalton
• New Peterborough Parkway (at Yaxley)
• Newark Flyover over the ECML
• New second non-stop track at Peterborough
• A new platform at Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Drem-Edinburgh Quadrupling
• Four Track Loop South of Alnmouth
• Morpeth to Newcastle Quadrupling
  

 

[Aictos]

No. Could do that, that is defiantly needed. You could add the second non-stop track back in at Peterborough.

Impossible as it serves Platform 3 and for a second non stop track to be put in, it would mean losing that platform as seeing as the former bay platform which could only take 4 cars btw has long been lifted would mean a massive decrease in platform capacity which is the last thing that Peterborough needs so no thanks.

Berwick-upon-Tweed station could do with an additional platform.

As could Dunbar as then it wouldn't need to cross over to the single platform as it does at the moment so I would propose reinstating the Down Platform Loop together with a platform so services stopping at Dunbar can be looped while non stop services go past in both directions.

*Note I believe a second platform at Dunbar is happening not sure when it's due for completion though?

Drem to Edinburgh Waverley would be good to quadruple, because North Berwick, Dunbar, Mussleburgh etc. could get a decent service.

This I agree is good to do as it would mean the North Berwicks could be uplifted from their existing hourly service to a 30 minute frequency meaning a far better metro service can be offered.

 

[Esker-pades]

As could Dunbar as then it wouldn't need to cross over to the single platform as it does at the moment so I would propose reinstating the Down Platform Loop together with a platform so services stopping at Dunbar can be looped while non stop services go past in both directions.

*Note I believe a second platform at Dunbar is happening not sure when it's due for completion though?



This I agree is good to do as it would mean the North Berwicks could be uplifted from their existing hourly service to a 30 minute frequency meaning a far better metro service can be offered.

I entirely forgot about Dunbar. Of course the second platform would be brilliant. I know it is happening (like you I don't know the finish date).

 

[6Gman]

I would ensure the following schemes were done:

6. Reinstate the Peterborough facing bay platforms at March and extend the Birmingham to Leicester service to March.

March?

March!

Why March?

 

[Aictos]

March?

March!

Why March?

Because:

1. It has or had bay platforms facing the right way.
2. There isn't enough paths for MORE services to head though Ely.
3. It can also act as a railhead for Wisbech, yes I know Peterborough does this but so can March.
4. It's close enough to Peterborough to be a turnback point yet not too far.

 

[Ianno87]

Because:

1. It has or had bay platforms facing the right way.
2. There isn't enough paths for MORE services to head though Ely.
3. It can also act as a railhead for Wisbech, yes I know Peterborough does this but so can March.
4. It's close enough to Peterborough to be a turnback point yet not too far.

Going to March stands a chance of at least requiring one extra unit in the cycle, and there are still a fair numbet of level crossings to be traversed (Three Horse Shoes, etc). Not worth it for a station with only 400k passengers a year, that already sees up to 3 trains in some hours.

Winbechians will continue to railhead to Peterborough.

 

[guilbert]

Upgrading the slow lines north of Wolmer Green to allow 100mph running would mean all/most the GN/Thameslink services could run on the slow lines, freeing up capacity on the fast lines.

Then there's Digswell...

 

[yorksrob]

I would remodel Northallerton station as a double island platform station.

This would mean less waiting at junctions for trains from elsewhere to clear the platforms, and would allow smoother use of the slow lines at times of disruption.

 

[Highlandspring]

• Digital Signalling between Edinburgh and London

What, specifically, do you mean by “digital signalling” please?

 

[Aictos]

What, specifically, do you mean by “digital signalling” please?

The only "digital signalling" I'm aware of that exists in the UK which will be rolled out in the UK and I'm welcomed to be corrected but I'm sure it's ETCS otherwise known as the European Train Control System which is itself the signalling and control component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

 

[Meerkat]

Well if we are getting our crayons out....

Replace Newark ECML station with a new two level one just south of the junction to give in station connections for Nottingham and Lincoln.
New flyovers North of the river at Doncaster to separate all the flows.
Remove low level at Northallerton- Junction to the South, shift ECML to new platforms on West side and Middlesbrough route goes through current platforms.
New Darlington station on through lines.
New fast lines Newcastle to Morpeth with more suburban stations on the current lines.

 

[Bwlch y Groes]

Ultimately if money really was no object you'd build new faster routes. Pretty much everything north of Northallerton isn't really compatible with a high speed railway between the south and the north, so there's little point playing around with the edges with four-tracking and such like - just go the whole hog and build a new railway

After HS2 is built, I'd bypass York from Garforth to Northallerton following the A1(M) - controversial, yes, but York would still have a frequent service south, and I'm not sure it justifies being on a high speed route. I like Gareth Dennis' idea of a new alignment from Northallerton to Newcastle via Teesside, and perhaps you could tunnel under Newcastle for a new station (or at least build a new bridge over the Tyne and expand to the south). After that you could then have a new route inland, diverging between Killingworth and Morpeth and following the A1, A697 and A68

Something like this, basically: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7340884 - this is a rough sketch I've just done so it's not meant to be indicative of whose houses or golf courses are likely to get ruined by passing Talgos. Also included this would be the reinstated Harrogate-Northallerton, Harrogate-Wetherby(-York), Castle Eden and Leamside lines which would be linked in to this, as well as an extension of the Borders Railway to Coldstream with a link to this route

Stations could include:

Wetherby Parkway (for Wetherby and Harrogate)
Northallerton
Teesside (Thornaby Yard)
Houghton Parkway (for Durham, Washington and south Sunderland)
Newcastle
Borders Interchange (Coldstream)
East Edinburgh Parkway
Edinburgh Waverley

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I saw in an alternatives to HS2 document NR has plans to build a bypass around Peterborough, Grantham and Doncaster.

Couldn't you have some Leeds services use Hambleton Junction instead of going via Wakefield?

 

[Ianno87]

Upgrading the slow lines north of Wolmer Green to allow 100mph running would mean all/most the GN/Thameslink services could run on the slow lines, freeing up capacity on the fast lines.

Then there's Digswell...

No, if they're on the Fast Lines, they need to be there as they're generally overtaking something on the Slow Lines (e.g. the Ely/King's Lynn fasts usually overtake a Thameslink calling at Stevenage)

 

[VT 390]

Couldn't you have some Leeds services use Hambleton Junction instead of going via Wakefield?

I may be wrong but I thought at one point Grand Central (or other operator) proposed running services to Bradford via Leeds this way but there was not enough capacity for them on the approaches to Leeds.

 

[43096]

I may be wrong but I thought at one point Grand Central (or other operator) proposed running services to Bradford via Leeds this way but there was not enough capacity for them on the approaches to Leeds.

GNER proposed electrifying into Leeds from Hambleton as I recall it.

 

[Aictos]

GNER proposed electrifying into Leeds from Hambleton as I recall it.

They did, as you can see from the Railfuture report here.

Also note that it states for the ECML, the High Level Output Statement (HLOS) for 2014- 2019 said:

Extension of electrification from Micklefield to Selby (with a turnback provided at Micklefield for local trains) and a connection to the East Coast Main Line (ECML)

The Peterborough bottleneck - combined with much needed extra platforms and enlarged entrance

Four tracking from Huntingdon to Fletton

Improved track capacity and bay platform at Doncaster

Now the majority of these schemes have been delivered in that time period and are well used however two schemes yet to see completion is the electification of Micklewood to Selby which as a byproduct would give two electric routes into Leeds as well as four tracking from Huntingdon to Fletton which apart from the Digswell Viaduct bottleneck would mean that Network Rail has finally delivered the plans that the LNER had to 4 track Kings Cross to Peterborough!

However four tracking across Stilton Fen as been explained here a few times is near impossible or in other words very very expensive to do.

 

[Bevan Price]

I saw in an alternatives to HS2 document NR has plans to build a bypass around Peterborough, Grantham and Doncaster.

Couldn't you have some Leeds services use Hambleton Junction instead of going via Wakefield?

Are there enough spare paths between Micklefield and Leeds? As a minimum, I think they would need to reinstate the fast lines through Cross Gates station, to allow locals to be overtaken.

 

[Meerkat]

Why hasn’t Leeds to Micklefield been four tracked already? Seems a serious constraint and got to feel that if you built the capacity there would be lots of viable extra services to fill it.
Is it just the uncertainty about NPR?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

My plans:

• Newark Crossing Replaced with either a Flyunder or a Flyover
• Two new through platforms at Doncaster (9 & 10)
• Upgrade route to ETCS Level 3
• Remodel Kings Cross as planned by NR
• A new fourth track between Huntingdon and Woodwalton
• New Peterborough Parkway (at Yaxley)

• A new platform at Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Drem-Edinburgh Quadrupling
• Four Track Loop South of Alnmouth
• Morpeth to Newcastle Quadrupling
• York Throat Remodelling
• Two New platforms at Darlington
• New Platform at Middlesborough to accommodate new services
• New platform at Lincoln Central

 

[Dr Hoo]

I'm a bit surprised that Grantham-Stoke Tunnel hasn't received more attention. I suppose that far less freight has to go on the main line now that the 'Joint' line via Lincoln has been upgraded.

The current single line/single lead bottleneck for the Norwich-Nottingham-Liverpool service is a serious constraint on timetabling and a performance risk. A southbound flyover from the Allington line to the ECML would be ideal. Grantham ought to have at least four platforms with suitable signalling to allow fast ECML services in either direction to overtake those calling at Grantham.

These arrangements to be complemented by an Up Slow to Stamford Lines link via the Werrington Diveunder (as widely suggested elsewhere). Taken together with other schemes, especially Newark, these would greatly reduce conflicting movements.

 

[deltic08]

I would build a new line from around Bawtry to Leeds, leaving route from Doncaster for local services as this route cannot take locals and Intercity without slowing Intercity either near Doncaster or Leeds.

Failing that, I would quadruple Doncaster-South Elmsall with grade separated junction off the Pontefract line for ECML freight between York and Doncaster to be diverted this way and a place for Intercity to overtake locals from Leeds. Using the bridge at Bessecarr freight wouldn't be on the ECML at all between York and Peterborough during the day.

Northallerton to Darlington should be quadrupled with new 4 platform station at Northallerton. A grade separated junction to the south for all Teesside trains would allow the Longlands Loop to be closed together with three level crossings.

Completely new fast line from just north of Darlington to Chester-Le-Street for non stoppers. This will leave the current route to stoppers and freight.

A Morpeth cut-off

A new line from Reston to Cockburnspath using higher ground and steeper grades if necessary for passenger only trains.

Cut out the 80mph dogleg at Dunbar for non-stop trains by building a cut off following the A1.

Quadruple Marsh Lane to Micklfield and make Leeds station to Marsh Lane three track with new station on the viaduct near Leeds bus station.

Restore Leeds-Wetherby-Harrogate-Ripon-Northallerton as another strategic route from West Yorkshire to Northeast and Scotland to avoid York bottleneck.

Quadruple all the way from Peterborough to Grantham including new parallel tunnel at High Dyke.

Electrify Peterborough to Ely for diversions.

 

[Peter Kelford]

5. Build a Peterborough Parkway station either to the south of Peterborough to discourage commuters clogging up the City Centre with their cars and have it serve both IC and NSE services.

New Peterborough Parkway (at Yaxley)

As someone who has close ties to Peterborough and still likes to spend some time there, I can certify that the new development in Hampton is in dire need of better transport links. It could just be two slow platforms for GTR trains.