Win Cafe Sci: John Castle - HS2 - "The technical challenge of high speed rail"

Tonight's Cafe Sci in Winchester will be lead by John Castle, the Country Area South Manager for HS2 who will be speaking about "HS2 - The technical challenge of high speed rail".

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Summary: Explaining the technical challenge of high speed rail and how that differs from conventional rail and then illustrating how this is being applied to HS2.

High speed 2 (HS2) is the most significant transport infrastructure project in the UK since the motorways were built in the 1950s and 1960s. It will provide a high speed rail line between London and Birmingham and on to Manchester and Leeds. Construction along the line is due to start in 2017 and be completed by 2025. The first train services will run between London and Birmingham from 2026. HS2 is being developed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd). HS2 Ltd performs both a delivery and advisory role in the development of the high speed rail network.

Speaker: John Castle, Country South Area Manager at HS2, has spent the last 20 years working on major rail projects in the UK including the Jubilee Line Extension, Crossrail, Thameslink and the West Coast Route Modernisation. He joined HS2 Ltd in 2009, becoming one of the first engineers to work on this project. During his time at HS2 he has managed the contract for the development of the route from London to Birmingham as a Senior Route Engineer. Over this period the project went from a blank piece of paper through to the Post Consultation route which forms the basis of the current route. Currently he is responsible for the production of a Hybrid Bill Additional Provision for the Country South section of the route.

The Discovery Centre will be open for at least half an hour before the talk which starts at 7.45pm, so you can get yourself a drink and have a chat with other participants. The discussions will aim to finish around 9.15pm, though everyone will be welcome to stay around and have a chat with the speaker afterwards.

There is no charge for admission, but donations towards speakers expenses are welcome. If anybody would like to help with the running of the Winchester Café Sci, please speak to the organizer William Vine on the evening.

The format of the evening is usually a talk of 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a short break so the audience can refill their glasses, before questions and discussions about the talk. Entry is open to everyone, but we do encourage you to buy a tea, coffee and cakes to show your support for the Discovery Centre who sponsor the meeting by providing the venue.

Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore and debate the latest ideas in science and technology.

Hosted by: William Vine, Organizer for Winchester Cafe Scientifique