The BEST Way to Speed up Trains

Why It Matters

Upgrading station throat turnouts delivers significant time savings and capacity gains at a fraction of the cost of high‑speed line upgrades, reshaping how rail networks can improve service efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Upgrade station throat turnouts to raise low‑speed sections.
• Small speed gains (15→40 mph) save minutes per mile.
• Removing PSRs yields more time saved than raising line speed.
• Faster throat exits increase capacity, reduce platform needs.
• Cost‑effective upgrades outperform expensive high‑speed line projects significantly.

Summary

The video argues that the most efficient way to make trains faster is not by raising line‑speed limits on long stretches, but by upgrading the low‑speed bottlenecks found in station throats and other constrained sections. By replacing outdated turnouts and eliminating restrictive permissible speed restrictions (PSRs), operators can lift speeds from around 15 mph to 40 mph, shaving the same two‑and‑a‑half minutes per mile that a 25‑mph increase on a high‑speed segment would provide.

The speakers illustrate the point with concrete calculations: a mile at 15 mph takes four minutes, while the same mile at 40 mph takes only 1.5 minutes, saving 2.5 minutes. Extending this to a 20‑mile run, raising speed from 100 mph to 125 mph also saves roughly 2.5 minutes, but requires massive infrastructure work. In contrast, modest upgrades to turnouts in a station throat achieve identical time gains with far lower cost and disruption.

Real‑world examples include the recent refurbishment of King’s Cross and Liverpool Lime Street throats, where 40‑mph turnouts now allow trains to accelerate out of platforms more quickly, increasing line capacity and even permitting the removal of a platform without losing service. A similar case is cited for Perth, Scotland, where raising the exit speed from 15 mph to 40 mph would save as much time as a 100‑to‑125 mph upgrade on the mainline.

The implication is clear: rail operators should prioritize targeted throat and PSR upgrades to boost both journey times and capacity. These interventions are cost‑effective, reduce the need for additional platforms or complex signalling changes, and deliver measurable performance improvements without the massive capital outlay of high‑speed line projects.

Original Description

Watch Episode 69 of #Railnatter here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAYeHmlx_WE

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