Why not electrify the Peak line?

摘要

With Railtrack indicating its intention to re-open the Peak Line, a once-only golden opportunity to electrify the route is presented. As the line threads the Peak National Park, why allow this beautiful area to suffer more pollution? New stock will doubtless be required and tilting trains need to be purchased if a viable alternative service to and from Manchester is to be offered in competition with Virgin's overpriced WCML route. As the current Midland Main Line HSTs will be close to life-expiry when the line opens, the timing for replacement stock couldn't be better. The MML is already electrified as far as Bedford, so this is a chance to give the UK a third north-south electric railway.