Editing Chiltern Main Line (section)

==Main Line upgrade==
The second part of the project upgraded the line to {{convert|100|mph|kph}} running on {{convert|50|mi|km}} more of track, with junctions at Neasden, Northolt and Aynho rebuilt to permit higher speeds. The ''up'' through track was restored at Princes Risborough and signalled for bidirectional use, the existing 'up' line becoming a bidirectional platform loop. A new turnback siding was provided at [[Gerrards Cross railway station|Gerrards Cross]] and a new 'down' through track built from Northolt Junction to Ruislip Gardens, running alongside the ''up'' line to the east of the waste transfer station; the ''down'' line will continue to serve [[South Ruislip railway station|South Ruislip]]. Speed restrictions through Bicester North were raised to permit {{convert|100|mph|kph|adj=on}} running, with a new ''up'' alignment and platform. Two of the original terminal platforms at Birmingham Moor Street were reopened for Chiltern services in December 2010. Accelerated services started in September 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline/faqs |title=Chiltern Mainline FAQ |publisher=Chiltern Railways |access-date=13 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412013542/http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline/faqs|archive-date=12 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> after being postponed due to concerns about whether the works would be completed in time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/business/2008/08/29-chiltern-railways-upgrade.html |title=Chiltern Railways plan to make Bicester well connected |work=RailNews |location=Stevenage |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=7 September 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk|title=Project Evergreen 3 |year=2010 |publisher=Chiltern Railways |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828064814/http://www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk/ |archive-date=28 August 2009}}</ref>

Thanks to the speed increases, journey times have been reduced significantly. From Marylebone, the fastest journey time to Birmingham Moor Street is now 94 minutes instead of 117 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline |title=Chiltern Railways Mainline is Here |publisher=Chiltern Railways}}</ref> The table below outlines the originally proposed peak timetable improvements as indicated by [[Network Rail]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=%5CTrack%20Access%5C2%20Completed%20Consultations%5C2009%5C2009.10.27%20Chiltern%20Railways%2073rd%20Supplemental%20Agreement%20-%20consultation%20closed%2023%20November%202009&root=&cd=1 |title=73rd Supplemental Agreement |publisher=Network Rail}}</ref> This compares to roughly 85 minutes for the fastest Euston-Birmingham New Street trains, via the West Coast Main Line.

Chiltern Railways chairman [[Adrian Shooter]] said, "This is the biggest passenger rail project for several generations not to call on the taxpayer for support. Working closely with Network Rail, we are going to create a new main line railway for the people of Oxfordshire and the Midlands. This deal demonstrates that real improvements to rail services can be paid for without public subsidy by attracting people out of their cars and on to trains."

Network Rail said its investment will be reimbursed by a 'facility charge' over the next 30 years, by Chiltern Railways, whose franchise expires in December 2021, and then by the future franchisee. The infrastructure upgrade was carried out by main contractor [[BAM Nuttall]], in partnership with [[Jarvis plc|Jarvis]] and [[WS Atkins]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Fastest Peak Time from London (mins)
!
! Width="100"|Previous
! Width="100"|Evergreen 3
|-
! Gerrards Cross
| align=center|21
| align=center|'''18'''
|-
! High Wycombe
| align=center|34
| align=center|'''23'''
|-
! Princes Risborough
| align=center|41
| align=center|'''32'''
|-
! Bicester
| align=center|56
| align=center|'''44'''
|-
! Banbury
| align=center|67
| align=center|'''50'''
|-
! Leamington Spa
| align=center|85
| align=center|'''67'''
|-
! Solihull
| align=center|107
| align=center|'''84'''
|-
! Birmingham Moor Street
| align=center|117
| align=center|'''92'''
|}