The Network
Once the full HS2 network is complete in 2035, there will be a new network spanning 530km capable of handling 400m trainsets travelling at up to 360kph (225mph) with frequencies of 17tph in each direction. 48 trains will operate across the HS2 network every hour. Interactive route map here:
https://www.hs2.org.uk/where/route-map
The number of departures from London Euston each hour would be 17tph, of which eight would be 400m trainsets, and the remainder 200m+200m trainsets that could split further down the line. From London Euston there would be 3tph to each of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Another 6tph would run from Birmingham up to Manchester and the north east increasing connectivity between the cities outside of London
Image source from Department for Transport: https://assets.publishing.service.go...nement-web.pdf
Source: Department for Transport, https://assets.publishing.service.go...-phase-one.pdf
To avoid excessive and costly demolition and spoiling of the English countryside, it is intended that large sections of HS2 will be either in tunnel or in substantial cuttings. The network will be built in three phases:
- Phase 1: London to the West Midlands
- Phase 2a: The West Midlands to Crewe
- Phase 2b: Split into two sections:
- Western Leg – Crewe to Manchester and the North West, and
- Eastern Leg – West Midlands to Leeds and the North East
Phase 1: London to the West Midlands- Starting from London Euston in Central London, HS2 immediately enters into the Euston tunnel (7.4km)
- At the other end of the Euston tunnel, HS2 enters the Old Oak Common station box, essentially a giant trench.
- Immediately to the west of the Old Oak Common station box the route heads directly into the Northolt tunnel (13.5km) which brings HS2 to the outskirts of London.
- From there, the line runs across the Colne Valley via a 3.4km viaduct before entering into the Chiltern tunnel (15.9km).
- Running up to the new Birmingham Interchange station, HS2 enters into a delta junction where the line splits to Phase 2a and Phase 2b Eastern Leg.
- HS2 enters Birmingham via the Bromford tunnel (5.7km) to a new terminal at Birmingham Curzon Street.
- Over half of Phase 1 will be below surface either in tunnel or deep cutting.
- Enabling and construction works have commenced and the anticipated opening date for services is 2029-33.
- https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/...-west-midlands
• Video Link
Source: Department for Transport, https://assets.publishing.service.go...-phase-one.pdf
Source: Cnbrb on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2
Image source from Department for Transport: https://assets.publishing.service.go...se_1_route.pdf
Phase 2a: West Midlands to Crewe- North of the Birmingham delta junction from Phase I, HS2 runs north-west bypassing Birmingham towards Crewe.
- At Crewe the line branches off to Phase 2b Western Leg up to Manchester and back onto the WCML (for journeys to Liverpool and Glasgow).
- Phase 2a will be built in parallel to Phase 1 to facilitate faster journey times to Manchester in advance of Phase 2b Western Leg.
- This section will open in 2029-33.
- https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/...midlands-crewe
• Video Link
Source: Cnbrb on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_2
Phase 2b: Western Leg – Crewe to Manchester and the North West- The construction of the Crewe tunnel (6.1km) will bypass the town, creating a grade separation from Phase 2a.
- As the line reaches the outskirts of Manchester, a new station: Manchester Interchange will be built to provide access to Manchester Airport
- HS2 then travels under the city via the Manchester tunnel (12.8km) to emerge at a new extension at Manchester Piccadilly.
- This phase will open in 2035
Phase 2b: Eastern Leg – West Midlands to Leeds and the North East- Branching north of the Birmingham delta junction on Phase 1, the Eastern Leg runs north-easterly to the new East Midlands Hub located in-between Nottingham and Derby.
- Heading north parallel to the M1 motorway, there will be spurs off HS2 onto the MML for services to Sheffield
- On the outskirts of Leeds, there will be a junction created, with a branch heading north-eastwards to York for services on the ECML to Newcastle and Edinburgh.
- The other branch will approach Leeds station at a right-angle on a 3.3km viaduct.
- This phase will open in 2035.
- https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/...-line/phase-2b
Other Connections
Beyond the current plans for HS2, there are early discussions around extension of both the western and eastern legs to further reduce travel times to Glasgow, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
There is also a parallel project called High Speed North (HS3) that would create a new line running from Liverpool to Leeds via Manchester, and which would use components of the Western and Eastern Legs of HS2 Phase 2b. This is envisioned to open sometime between 2035-40.
Connections to HS1 (which terminates at the neighbouring Central London station of London St Pancras) were shelved, instead Crossrail 2 and a potential passenger transit system would connect the two. Previous plans for a loop to London Heathrow Airport were also dropped as Heathrow will be accessible via an interchange at the new Old Oak Common station via Crossrail 1.
Rolling Stock- A minimum 100 trains will be needed for the complete route, of which 54 trains will be required for Phase 1.
- The primary depot for the fleet will be in Birmingham at Washwood Heath
- Bids have been received (in image order) from CAF, Hitachi Bombardier, Alstrom, Talgo and Siemens.
Images sourced from Railcolor News: https://railcolornews.com/2019/07/11...-five-designs/