West Coast Rail Line Speed Project

First-Trenitalia
Avanti West Coast

As part of First-Trenitalia's bid for the West Coast Partnership, IPEX was requested to examine the potential to raise the line speed on the West Coast Main Line for non-tilting trains. IPEX carried out research into track and ride standards dating back as far as 1952, research projects carried out during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and carried out ride measurements on the mainlines of Britain. This research demonstrated that some railway infrastructure does not utilise the engineering capabilities available. The project carried out a first principles analysis to determine what speeds are achievable.

IPEX is working alongside Avanti and Network Rail colleagues to implement a new speed profile on the WCML, up to, and including 125mph. The significant value add for this project is that it includes no physical infrastructure alteration while providing a speed enhancement for all contracted passenger operators on the WCML.

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