West Coast Route Modernisation '125' milestone

The author details the wide-ranging rail/network upgrading of the West Coast line in preparation for the introduction of the Pendolino 125 timetable. Work required includes signalling at Hemel Hempstead, improvements at Nuneaton and new track layout at Rugby and Birmingham. At the Stafford section a simplified layout will allow 125 mph operations although work is thought unlikely to start before 2008. Over the northern fells section of the line, leading to the lowlands of Scotland, a change of policy concerns the decision to set a maximum speed of 110 mph on the more curved sections with the intention of bringing the 90 mph sections up to this level. Track speed will drop to 60 mph between Carluke and Motherwell due to previous mining subsidence as this section is said to need much stabilization.