Why should HS2 or HS3 terminate in London?

Updated March 2020

I think high speed railway designers have a fetish for London terminals. St Pancras was refurbished for HS1, and what a brilliant result for a previously largely redundant station.

www.constructionnews.co.uk

However Euston is already the fifth busiest, so squeezing in additional capacity there is a nightmare. Unsurprisingly various reports have suggested a temporary HS2 terminal at Old Oak Common; what nonsense. Prime Minister Johnson thinks throwing more money at the scheme will bring it forward, however it's planning and engineering that's critical. But why have a London terminal anyway?

Crossrail is connecting in beneath existing stations. Why not do the same with these new high speed rail schemes? After all the HS2 London route is already in a tunnel. All the servicing of train sets can then be located outside Town, which is more practical.

And finally, why not continue the line to serve Essex populations so often starved of good connections.

In short, we could do with some joined up thinking to produce a fantastic transport system that joins things up beautifully. And here's a fantastic suggestion that does just that by linking HS1 and HS2.

www.newcivilengineer.com

I wish!

Crossrail sets a challenge for HS2 and HS3

Original post updated with release of HS2 plans

Crossrail Place, in the North Dock of Canary Wharf, sets a high standard for railway stations. With ideas for an eventual HS3 after HS2, we should expect designs that give 'balm to the soul' to quote the late great Humphrey Lyttelton.

The station beneath the dock is capped by a splendid roof garden. It's a refreshing oasis in a desert of concrete, steel, and glass. The greenhouse roof has panels which can adjust their thickness depending on temperature requirements.

If it's any encouragement then grander plans for the HS2 Euston terminal as reported in The Guardian (picture below) are a good sign, even if it delays build. The original was of little imagination.

If we have more jazz in our railway infrastructure I think Humphrey would be pleased, and our souls inspired.

HS3 could build on Crossrail's fine example

Crossrail and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have demonstrated first class thinking by using the spoil from tunnelling under London to expand wetlands at Wallasea Island. Avocets are one of the beneficiaries, and that is fitting because they form part of the RSPB logo.

Avocet kneeling allowing chicks to find shelter
under wing © Crossrail

There is an argument, based on population densities, that HS3 should run north south tunnel under London with a loop to the east. It would complement Crossrail's east west route.

Imagine using the spoil to build Boris Island Airport and, rather than filling hard earned tunnel space with ballast, providing additional facilities for other services.

Smart HS3 build

The video for Indiegogo's solar roadways may be OTT but the idea is excellent. Intelligently designed solar modules robustly link to harness power and use it wisely.

Just as it makes sense to built larger tunnels which can include additional services so it makes even more sense to build modular solar components into the tracks above ground. Trains will already have regenerative braking so collecting solar power should be no problem.

Too often we have been one track minded!

What do you think?

Elder Adok

Large diameter HS3 tunnels for speed and services

First published August 2014; updated August 2015

Wikipedia's London Underground shows how tube trains fit their tunnels so snugly that they almost act like pistons pushing air in front of them.

In comparison the new Crossrail tunnels are large enough for full sized trains to run at speed. HS3 tunnels could be larger still at relatively little extra cost, and the track raised to create better air flow and a useful space for additional services.

HS3 plays a natural part in Loose Ends, the second of the Buffalo Future novels, which is in proofing. Ideas are futuristic and realistic.

Elder Adok