This is the old track and not the HS1 which runs alongside. It has the standard stopping trains on that line and still manages to be fast enough . It is Ashford to Ebbsfleet and St Pancras that is the high speed part, the javelins are allowed to go much faster to make time up if late to keep the Eurostars at speed, but they are normally 140mph
Is there any reason why these trains can't go back onto HS1 after Ashford to run at full speed until just before the tunnel and then re-join the classic lines? I know there is a link to the tunnel from the classic lines so I have always wondered whether this is possible or not
Hi, there is no link from HS1 directly back to the Folkestone 'classic' line. I guess they didn't think the millions spent to build a flyover or dive under to make this possible would be worth just a few minutes time saving. After all, Ashford to Folkestone is less than 12 minutes!
Probably electrifying the classic line from Ashford to Folkestone and improving the signalling to allow 125mph would be far cheaper - and even that option would still probably not meet any value for money criteria!
railperf I understand. I thought that it would be possible somehow. I suppose it is not that far to Folkestone. I've always wondered though how much time could be saved. Every minute counts in the morning lol
railperf it is electrified with third rail isn't it? If they want to talk about value for money I would like them to tell me how good value for money Stratford International has been! So theoretically could the a Javelin train go past the classic line on HS1 towards the tunnel and then reverse onto the third rail connection that way? I've seen a few videos of Eurostars doing something like this before HS1 opened.
@@thetelephoneprankster4254 Not long after Ashford on HS1, Eurostar trains have to switch their Pantograph setting to a 25,000v AC 'Eurotunnel' setting. This sets parameters such as maximum pantograph height, pantograph uplift force, power draw etc. So I am not sure that the Class 395's would be configurable to the right settings for the overhead line equipment. They may not actually be authorised to use that part of HS1 anyway. In any case, i'm sure you would have to try and stop the train at or close to Dollands Moor, reverse back on to the up main. And then reverse back towards Folkestone - which operationally would cost too much time and involves occupying train paths. By that time, a 395 having used the existing 3rd rail main line would probably be past Dover and on its way to Ramsgate.
I've realised, if it wasn't for their insane bodyweight, they would accelerate ridiculously fast on third rail , perhaps if they weighed as much as a class 465 (i assume anyway, since their likely programmed on be super quick, hence the rapid acceleration to 60mph on AC)
