Phil wrote: ↑Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:21
Still doesn't get over the fact that York to Northallerton is around twice the distance of Northallerton to Darlington nor the fact that from Northallerton there is the option of running via Teesside. That gives a completely false impression of the true facts on the ground.
You also failed to originally mention the two clearly identified pinch points of Northallerton or Darlington station - both of which are far more of a priority to resolve than the double track Northallerton to Darlington station. Once Northallerton and Darlington are resolved then it may be (note thats not a 'will') that further attention is needed on the aforementioned double track section
A lack of terminating capacity at Newcastle will not be assisted by a heavy rail tunnel that avoids the city centre as the decline of heavy industry has meant passenger traffic (which needs to serve the city centre) outnumbers freight movements. Additional bay platforms are in any case possible by reclaiming part of the car parks - land the railway gave up in past rationalisations.
I in fact specifically mentioned Darlington because it is a known pinch point due to the fact that the line to Middlesbrough and Saltburn line has to cross the ECML. There is now a project to build new platforms to the east of the station to remedy this, However even with that it was noted in the Network Rail report that increased freight usage of the existing ECML was only viable if passenger services were slowed or reduced. The problem of running 125 mph high speed trains, freight and slow commuter trains on such a configuration are is. The extra passing loops proposed will help but at the end of the day stations such as Morpeth have had to cut local trains to Newcastle because there is no passing loop and no realistic prospect of adding one.
If you live in one of the places north of Newcastle that have a station its extremely aggravating when you have to drive or spend an hour on the bus to Gosforth then catch the Metro to Newcastle when you can see the trains rushing through town.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.24150 ... 6656?hl=en
If you were to try at to get a train to York from Widdrington arriving at 5PM this is what you have to do.
2.22 PM catch bus to Gosforth
3.28 PM catch Metro to Newcastle Central Station
3.58 PM catch train to York
4.55 PM arrive in York
In reality what people do is drive down the A1/A1(M)/A59
This is the price of high speed trains, a twin track line and no passing loop.
We currently have rather a schizophrenic transport policy, on the one hand there is an aspiration to get HGV's off the roads but on the other hand we want fast passenger services. Without investment in extra rail capacity we cannot do both. This why when we have unused lines such as the Leamside Line or even worse decent quality lines such as the Stillington Branch which have only a handful of movements I believe we should make the best of them.
The line from Northallerton through Eaglescliffe and Stockton and the Durham Coast Line are underused and like the Leamside Line have not been electrified. This seems like a wasted opportunity to me. Before the ECML was electrified they saw much more traffic. I used regularly catch the HST 125 from Middlesbrough to Kings Cross via Northallerton but ECML electrification ended that. Finally with the Class 802's that service is being resumed.