Its great to dream of 22k and Mk3 but
Who needs a 183-500 seat train when the average load is under 20?
A 3 car ICR costs twice as much in fuel as a 2 coach 2700 does and is actually slower point to point when the line speed is low
Mk3 option would be horribly expensive as you need a guard and a generator van, not happening. The UK trainspotters have been and gone
Its fundamentally too slow and nothing can be done to solve that without massive outlay. It was looked into MVA/Corus did a report on the options and the high speed new line option scored a CBA of 0.1-0.2 when 2 is the baseline required normally to get investment
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