Train firm GWR wants to run faster Bristol-London trains starting in December, reports Bristol Live.
But the move will require Network Rail approval (the body responsible for infrastructure, scheduling and so on).
GWR proposes that its fastest services from Bristol Parkway (on the city’s outskirts) run to London Paddington in as little as 67 minutes.
This is quite an achievement when you consider this schedule is little more than London-Brighton yet the latter is roughly half the distance.
From Bristol’s downtown station at Temple Meads the best journey time would be 79 minutes, which is 17 minutes faster than today’s fastest trains taking just under 90 minutes.
GWR recently retired the last of its HST diesel trains from mainline service.
Their place has been taken by a fleet of Hitachi bi-mode Intercity Express Trains (IETs) – for more information see our forthcoming All aboard rail feature in the September issue of Business Traveller.
Although the IETs will be limited to 125 mph (the UK’s maximum line speed, HS1 excepted) their faster acceleration allows a reduction in journey times.
Besides the improved scheduling there will be more train services over the GWR network. It means that destinations in Wales and the West Country will also benefit.
