Matthew Malthouse wrote:

On 19 Sep 2003 00:06:57 -0700 William E. Aitken wrote:
} [Reasons for Stratfod above and beyond my convenience]
}
} I suspect that the main reasons that the station exists were as a stop
} for domestic trains on the CTRL,

Eh? Isn't part of the point of the CTRL that there would be no domestic
services on it?

} and to provide a London stop for NOL
} Eurostars off the WCML that does not require a St. pancras reversal.

Seems sensible. But it gives rise to another question. If Eurostar
services extend north of London how would immigration and customs be
done? To have a secured station or section of the station at every
possible destination would be expensive in infrastructure and running
costs. On the other hand while inspecting papers on train could be done
customs examination of baggage would be a pain.

Maybe restrict the destinations north of London to a few select stations
to which connections are readily available from everywhere else, e.g.
Birmingham New Street, Crewe, Manchester, Watford Junction (?),
Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds. These would be the only stations to
then need special check-ins.

I really don't think that North of London Eurostars will be viable north
of Leeds/Manchester. Since the Eurostars will run no quicker than the
domestic trains, any increases in journey duration by passengers from
intermediate stations shouldn't be too long. In fact, on the WCML the
Pendolinos would be catching the Eurostars up once they (the Pendolinos)
start tilting.

Angus