Network Rail has just unveiled a plan that details the future of high-speed rail in the UK. The plan is conceptual in nature and outlines a vision for a network of high-speed trains connecting London with the Midlands and on to Scotland.

According to NR’s vision, a 200 mph train would carry passengers to Edinburgh in around two hours time. Once constructed, the train could provide speedy service to locations such as Preston (1 hour 13 minutes), Warrington (1 hour 6 minutes), Manchester (1 hour 6 minutes), and Glasgow (2 hours 16 minutes) just to name a few.

Their study showed that such a rail system could be built for about £34 billion assuming no delays or cots overruns. If the line were completed, NR estimates that as much as £55 billion would be generated which shoes a tidy return on investment.

National rail has absolutely no intention of building the line, however. They are hoping that a csortium might be formed to foot the bill. Such a group was formed to build the Channel rail line.

The precise details of where, exactly, the route would travel are not included in the vision. NR says that it could take as long as 5 years just to figure out where the line would run. It would then take at least another 5 years to complete construction.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above information. For more on this article please visit their website.