LZ, for the record, HS2 Ltd have absolutely, categorically stated that no freight whatsoever will be carried on HS2. Obviously, it won't be carrying many passengers either, but at least it will create artificial employment which will be heavily subsidised at our expense.
The subsidy levels HS2 Ltd have claimed they will need (which is already high) is based on their business case of *EVERY* train full to capacity on every trip (which, IIRC, is every 3 minutes (which it can't be, as it takes 20 mins to load a train, so you'll need more platforms than they have space)). Assuming absolute best case scenario that you might get a couple of full trains at peak time, then you can see its a financial disaster, that a new Beeching - if we have anyone visionary enough - will quickly close
As to there being full trains from Lichfield to West London, well, it doesn't happen now, so why should it happen in the future?
And as to speed, before HS2 was planned, even Chiltern could get a train from Moor Street to Marylebone in 1hr15 (obviously Network Rail have gone out of their way to increase that, seeing as their people are the seniors at HS2 which will only do it in an hour). Its all a bit too cosy, and jobs for the boys, and utterly corrupt.