270mph German train could link London and North

Rail chiefs are considering three radically different types of technology for the super-fast trains planned to run between London and the North, including the 270mph Maglev system.

John Armitt, the chief executive of Network Rail, revealed yesterday his organisation was considering "magnetic levitation", as developed by the German companies Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, to propel high-speed trains between London and the North.

Other technologies which are being considered are turbo-powered diesel engines being tested by Bombardier and Alstom in Canada, and the conventional 186mph electric system employed in high-speed routes in Europe.

Mr Armitt accepted that while his organisation would not necessarily be responsible for operating the new North-South link in Britain, he felt "duty bound" to examine the options. The Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, has indicated a dedicated high-speed link could be possible within 10 years.

The turbo diesel method, under consideration in North America, uses Pratt and Whitney jet technology and would give a top speed of 150mph.

But the futuristic option would be the Maglev system, which transports passengers in China on the 19-mile journey between Shanghai's financial district and its airport in just eight minutes.

If the idea is adopted in Britain, a non-stop journey between London and Glasgow would take one hour and 20 minutes instead of the current four hours and 45 minutes. The trip between London and Birmingham would come down to about 25 minutes from an hour and a half.

While there are considerable doubts about the practicality of the Maglev technology, the US government is considering its use on a number of routes.

Mr Armitt said that the adoption of the present technology would enable any new route connecting the North and the South to connect with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which will extend to London St Pancras by 2007.

He said that any conclusions by Network Rail would be given to the fundamental government review of transport which is being undertaken at the moment by Sir Rod Eddington, the former chief executive of British Airways.

Meanwhile Mr Armitt indicated that commuters into London could pay higher fares at peak times as part of an attempt to persuade passengers to travel outside the rush hour. He said two or three different fares could operate at the busiest times to lure travellers into taking trains either side of the 8am-9am slot. The idea is being put forward as an option in plans from Network Rail to ease congestion on the south west main line.

At the moment, 75,000 people travel to Waterloo station in London between 7am and 10am on weekdays, leading to packed trains and congestion on concourses.