Performance Modelling of Proposed High Speed 2 Timetables

trenolab undertook a performance modelling study examining the operational dynamics along High Speed 2 (HS2) and the West Coast Main Line (WCML) from London to the Scottish border. The project simulated both the existing railway network and the new HS2 infrastructure to understand how these systems would interact operationally. The study modelled train movements across both sections of the future network, analyzing how services would coordinate between the established WCML corridor and the new high-speed infrastructure. This dual-network approach provided insights into capacity utilization, operational conflicts, and system performance under various timetabling scenarios. The simulation examined operational patterns, journey time variations, and network resilience across the extended corridor. By modeling the interaction between conventional and high-speed services, the study identified potential bottlenecks and operational challenges that could arise from integrating these two railway systems. The findings offered evidence-based recommendations for timetable optimization and helped inform operational planning decisions for the combined HS2-WCML network serving this critical north-south transport corridor.