News analysis
to Birmingham follows a new, less tightly curved alignment, helping to increase the speed of trains to 100mph, again something that was not possible on the old alignment. Other improvements along the route allow a smoother ride at higher speeds and additional track to allow overtaking of stopping services at Princes Risborough. But the improvements aren’t just on
the track. Chiltern is having a number of ‘classic’ railway carriages refurbished for use on the Mainline service. They’ll be loco-hauled and similar to those used on the now defunct Wrexham and Shropshire Railway service. Cross says: ‘Our principle Mainline peak services between Birmingham and London will be mainly Class 67/Mark 3s. We will also continue to use our Class 168s. Both formations are rolling stock that our customers tell us that they like and which offer air conditioning, power points and tables.’ All trains running on the Mainline service will be fitted with wi-fi internet
that will be free to all passengers. The state of the art wi-fi equipment is provided by Swedish firm Icomera AB. At the heart of each on-train system is the router, which uses special software to seamlessly combine multiple mobile networks along the Chiltern route to deliver fast broadband connections. The system has also been ‘future proofed’ because it’s also able to take advantage of super fast next- generation LTE mobile networks when these start going live in a couple of years. Cross says: ‘We believe in offering the
products that our customers want. In this digital age, it is crucial to remain connected to the internet for work or pleasure and, critically, we believe that you shouldn’t have to pay a supplement for it.’ Next for Chiltern’s Evergreen project
will be the opening of the connection to Oxford in a couple of years time. But looking ahead to the future what else is being planned? Will there be an Evergreen 4?
‘In this digital age, it is crucial to remain connected to the internet and, critically, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay for it’
Very possibly, according to Graham
Cross. He says: ‘We’re always looking at
ways that we can improve our service for our customers. We are starting to look at whether there is a financially viable case to electrify the Chiltern route.’
PETER PLISNER is the BBC’s Midlands business and transport correspondent:
peter.plisner@
railpro.co.uk
Graham Cross, Chiltern’s business development director
AUGUST 2011 PAGE 15
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