This paper shows how rail passenger travel fulfils the exciting potential to apply technology to human needs. It argues that high-speed rail services have a good future in the UK, whether they are privately or publicly owned. This is because of the growing congestion in all other forms of transport, and the benefits that rail offers for inter-urban journeys between 150 and 300 miles. Rail will help to resolve the major transport mis-matches that are expected by the year 2000. Four new railways are likely to be built in the UK by the early 21st century: (1) the Channel Tunnel route opening in 1994; (2) the Union Railway, a high-speed link between London and the Channel Tunnel, due to open in 2000; (3) the Heathrow Express between Paddington and Heathrow Airport, due to open in 1997; and (4) CrossRail between London's Paddington and Liverpool Street termini, due to open in 2000. A 300 mph (480 kph) high-speed link through London is not needed; instead, there will be substantial upgradings of: (1) the West Coast line between 1994 and 2004; (2) the Great Western lines between 2000 and 2010; and (3) the East Coast line between 2010 and 2020. Technology can also bring InterCity railways up to airline customer service standards.
Abstract