Rail service improvements and disruptions

29.05.13

Virgin proposes 135mph running on WCML in Scotland

Virgin Trains is proposing an upgrade of the WCML near Lockerbie for 135mph running, which would make it the fastest stretch of conventional railway in the UK.

The operator says it is considering introducing the first non-stop train between Scotland and London since the 1930s to cut journeys from Glasgow to under four hours.

According to the Scotsman newspaper, chief operating officer Chris Gibb told a business breakfast that it would be a “fabulous headline journey time” and would “capture the public imagination.”

He added: “That would be fantastic for Scotland, to have the fastest conventional railway in the UK. Between Lancaster and Glasgow there has been a degree of upgrade, but huge potential.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]

Comments

Rotciv Werdlem   31/05/2013 at 13:10

More Beardie Bluster? Sounds like it's just another Virgin publicity stunt!

C Jacquier   31/05/2013 at 20:11

TPWS+ will not do it and an ATP is required over 125mph. Of course, and additional 10mph might be perceived as within a margin of error and he could even achieve 140mph by the same measure, the speed originally planned for WCML! But his GPS will tell him without that margin of error - and so will everybody else's on the train.

Kidd M.   31/05/2013 at 21:02

A good friend of mine used to work in the Vermin Trains press office. He said they all used to laugh when the press picked up on some of their more ridiculous stories as they mainly comprised 10% fact and 90% something male cattle produce in large quantities!

Add your comment

related

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Se... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the We... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passeng... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >