mdrejhon
Senior Member
No - only optimized track for highest speed.Does HSR run on a special kind of tracks?
It can still do RER trains too, and vice versa if it were not for train gridlock due to different speeds.
For existing track, if you keep below the speed limit of that said track, trackwork, and track maintenance is high enough quality not to damage HSR wheels. Damaged (dented) wheels will be problematic at high speeds.
In other words, the Georgetown Corridor will be happy with HSR at less-than-HSR speeds. Trains can make it from downtown to Pearson in slightly umder 20 mins at top speed allowable. A few speed optimizations like USRC is needed, but the corridor from Pearson to Union won't be the major bottleneck for a 48 minute Kitchener commute.
The incredibly expensive stuff is the Bypass and the work Brampton and beyond.