Green Signals 129. Are High Speed 2 trains going to be a bit less ‘High Speed’?
Mar 26, 2026
Liam Johnston MBE, a senior Railway Mission figure recognized for services to the rail industry, discusses pastoral care and welfare for railway staff. He talks about station chaplaincy, frontline support after incidents, and how the Mission adapts to modern railworking. Short, human stories highlight the practical, emotional side of keeping rail staff supported.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Design Freeze Means Speed Cuts Will Cost Not Save
- HS2 train and infrastructure design was finalised a decade ago; changing top speed now will itself incur additional costs.
- Richard Bowker warns optimisation was done earlier and reworking alignments, specs or contracts risks expensive delays and litigation.
Keep HS2 Flexibility And Prioritise West Coast Link
- Avoid short-term cuts that restrict future functionality; keep options open so future phases can exploit full capabilities.
- Richard recommends keeping the 54-train order and prioritising the Hansaker connection to enable West Coast Main Line access.
High Speed Testing Limited By Signalling Compatibility
- Testing high-speed trains requires compatible signalling and appropriate track; China uses CTCS which is not directly compatible with ETCS.
- Nigel notes HS1 uses TVM430 and ETCS upgrades or completed depot/track sections were expected for commissioning.