Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Great Western Main Line

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|Important railway corridor in England, UK}}
{{distinguish|West Coast Main Line|West of England line}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width                       = 
| name                            = Great Western Main Line
| color                           = 
| image                           = Brunel's railway bridge at Maidenhead from the Thames Path National Trail, geograph 5893373 by Dave Kelly.jpg
| image_width                     = 
| caption                         = [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge]] carrying the line over the [[River Thames]].
| type                            = [[Commuter rail]], [[Higher-speed rail]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bowen|first1=Douglas John|title=Hitachi Rail Europe taps Huber+Suhner|url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/communications/hitachi-rail-europe-taps-huber-suhner.html|access-date=2 December 2014|work=Railway Age|date=1 December 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212329/http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/communications/hitachi-rail-europe-taps-huber-suhner.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Operational
| locale                          = {{ubl|[[Greater London]]|[[South East England]]|[[South West England]]}}
| start                           = [[Paddington station|London Paddington]]
| end                             = {{Stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}
| stations                        = 25
| daily_ridership                 = 
| open                            = 30 June 1841 (complete line)
| owner                           = [[Network Rail]]
| operator                        = {{ubl|[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]|[[Elizabeth line]]|[[Heathrow Express]]|[[Chiltern Railways]]|[[CrossCountry]]}}
| depot                           = {{ubl|[[North Pole depot|North Pole]]|[[Reading TMD|Reading]]|[[St Philip's Marsh depot]]}}
| stock                           = {{ubl|{{brc|158}}|{{brc|159}}|{{brc|165}}|{{brc|166}}|{{brc|220}}|{{brc|221}}|{{brc|345}}|{{brc|387}}|{{brc|800}}|{{brc|802}}}}
| linelength                      = {{convert|118|mi|19|ch|km|2|abbr=out}}
| tracks                          = Four (London to Didcot),<br />two (Didcot to Bristol)
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|uksg|lk=on}}
| old_gauge                       = {{track gauge|7ft0.25in|lk=on}}
| minradius                       = 
| electrification                 = [[25 kV AC|25 kV 50 hz AC]] [[Overhead line|OLE]] (London to Chippenham)
| speed                           = {{convert|125|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} maximum
| signalling                      = [[Automatic Warning System|AWS]], [[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]], [[Automatic Train Protection (United Kingdom)|ATP]]
| map                             = [[File:Great Western Main Line map.png|321px]]<br />([[:commons:File:Great Western Main Line map.png|Click to expand]] – {{nowrap|[[ShareMap:rcsprinter/Great Western Main Line|Interactive map]])}}
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
}}
{{Great Western Main Line diagram}}
The '''Great Western Main Line''' (GWML) is a [[main line (railway)|main line]] [[railway]] in England that runs westwards from [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] to {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}}. It connects to other main lines such as those from [[Reading to Taunton line|Reading to Penzance]] and [[South Wales Main Line|Swindon to Swansea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Network-Specification-2016-Western-Route.pdf|title=Western Route specification|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084203/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Network-Specification-2016-Western-Route.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Opened in 1841, it was the original route of the first [[Great Western Railway]] which was merged into the [[Western Region of British Railways]] in 1948. It is now a part of the national rail system managed by [[Network Rail]] with the majority of passenger services provided by the current [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] franchise.

The line is electrified between London Paddington and Royal Wootton Bassett. Work to complete electrification all the way to Bristol was begun in 2011, but in 2016 the UK government deferred electrification of the section through [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath]] from Royal Wootton Bassett to Bristol, with no date set for completion, because costs had tripled.

==History==
{{see also|Great Western Railway}}
The line was built by the [[Great Western Railway]] and engineered by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] as a dual track line using a wider {{track gauge|84in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] and was opened in stages between 1838 and 1841. The final section, between Chippenham and Bath, was opened on completion of the [[Box Tunnel]] in June 1841.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol4/pp280-293|title=Victoria County History: Wiltshire: Vol 4: Railways|year=1959|editor-last=Crittall|editor-first=Elizabeth|website=British History Online|publisher=University of London|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084149/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol4/pp280-293|url-status=live}}</ref>

The alignment was so level and straight it was nicknamed "Brunel's billiard table". It was supplemented with a third rail for [[dual gauge]] operation, allowing standard gauge {{track gauge|uksg}} trains to also operate on the route, in stages between 1854 and 1875. Dual gauge was introduced as follows: London to [[Reading railway station|Reading]] (October 1861), Reading to {{rws|Didcot}} (December 1856), Didcot to {{rws|Swindon}} (February 1872), Swindon to Thingley Junction, {{rws|Chippenham}} (June 1874), Thingley Junction to {{rws|Bathampton}} (March 1875), Bathampton to Bristol (June 1874), Bristol station area (May 1854). The broad gauge remained in use until 1892. Evidence of the original broad gauge can still be seen at many places where bridges are a bit wider than usual, or where tracks are ten feet apart instead of the usual six.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

The original dual tracks were widened to four in places, mainly in the east half, between 1877 and 1899: Paddington to {{rws|Southall}} (October 1877), Southall to {{rws|West Drayton}} (November 1878), West Drayton to {{rws|Slough}} (June 1879), Slough to east side of [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge|Maidenhead Bridge]] (September 1884), Maidenhead Bridge to {{rws|Reading}} (June 1893), Reading station (1899), Reading to {{rws|Pangbourne}} (July 1893), Pangbourne to [[Cholsey railway station|Cholsey and Moulsford]] (June 1894), Cholsey and Moulsford to [[Didcot Parkway railway station|Didcot]] (December 1892); also short sections between Didcot and Swindon, and at Bristol.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

Following the [[Slough rail accident]] of 1900, in which five passengers were killed, improved [[vacuum brake|vacuum braking]] systems were used on locomotives and passenger rolling stock and [[Automatic train control#United Kingdom|Automatic Train Control]] (ATC) was introduced in 1908.

Further widenings of the line took place between 1903 and 1910 and more widening work took place between 1931 and 1932.{{sfn|Sanderson | Pollard | Thorne | Hradsky |2012| page = 6 }}

At the outbreak of [[World War I]] in 1914, the Great Western Railway was taken into government control, as were most major railways in Britain. The companies were reorganised after the war into the [[Big Four (British railway companies)|"big four" companies]], of which the Great Western Railway was one. The railways returned to direct government control during [[World War II]] before being nationalised to form [[British Rail]]ways (BR) in 1948.{{Relevance inline|date=August 2016}}

The line speed was upgraded in the 1970s to support the introduction of the [[InterCity 125]] high speed train (HST).<ref name='EarlyHighspeedBR'>{{cite journal |title= High speed track on the Western Region of British Railways |last=Collins |first=R.J. |journal=Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers |year=1978 |volume=64 |issue=2 |pages=207–225 |publisher= [[Institution of Civil Engineers]] |doi=10.1680/iicep.1978.2755 }}</ref>

In 1977, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Nationalised Industries recommended considering electrification of more of Britain's rail network, and by 1979 BR presented a range of options that included electrifying the line from Paddington to Swansea by 2000.<ref>{{cite book |author=Anonymous |title= Railway Electrification |date=Winter 1979 |publisher= [[British Railways Board]] (Central Publicity Unit) |pages=0–2, 8}}</ref> Under the [[Premiership of Margaret Thatcher|1979–90 Conservative governments]] that succeeded the [[Callaghan ministry|1976–79 Labour government]], the proposal was not implemented.

In the mid 1990s, the line between [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]] and [[Hayes & Harlington railway station|Hayes & Harlington]] was electrified as part of the [[Heathrow Express]] project.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heathrow Express|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/heathrow-express/|access-date=30 June 2020|website=Railway Technology|language=en-GB|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815045612/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/heathrow-express/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2008, it was announced that a number of speed limits on the relief lines between Reading and London had been raised, so that 86% of the line could be used at {{cvt|90|mph}}.<ref name="First Great Western Customer Panel">{{cite web |url=http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Customer%20panel/East%20Customer%20Panel%209.10.08%20minutes%20-%20WEBSITE.pdf |title=First Great Western Customer Panel |access-date=24 November 2008 |publisher=[[First Great Western]] |archive-date=11 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011164756/http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Customer%20panel/East%20Customer%20Panel%209.10.08%20minutes%20-%20WEBSITE.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Partial electrification by 2019 allowed replacement of [[InterCity 125]] and {{brc|180}} sets by new [[Intercity Express Programme|Hitachi Super Express]] high speed trains – the {{brc|800}}s and {{brc|802}}s. It also allowed the introduction of {{brc|387}} EMUs by GWR on shorter-distance services.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 March 2015|title=Derby to build new trains for First Great Western|url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2015/03/24-derby-to-build-new-trains.html|access-date=2 January 2017|website=Railnews|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084228/https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2015/03/24-derby-to-build-new-trains.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Heritage===
The route of the GWML includes dozens of [[listed building]]s and structures, including tunnel portals, bridges and viaducts, stations, and associated hotels.{{sfn|Sanderson | Pollard | Thorne | Hradsky |2012}} Part of the route passes through and contributes to the [[Georgian Architecture]] of the [[City of Bath]] World Heritage Site; the path through [[Sydney Gardens]] has been described as a ''"piece of deliberate railway theatre by Brunel without parallel"''.{{sfn|Sanderson | Pollard | Thorne | Hradsky |2012|loc =   MLN1 10605, MLN1 10605, MLN1 10605, MLN1 10610, MLN1 10614, MLN1 10618}} [[Grade I]] listed structures on the line include [[London Paddington]], [[Wharncliffe Viaduct]], the 1839 Tudor gothic [[Avon Bridge|River Avon Bridge]] in Bristol, and [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads station]].{{sfn|Sanderson | Pollard | Thorne | Hradsky |2012| loc =  MLN1 0000 , MLN1 0742, MLN1 11725, MLN1 11826 }}

==Route==
Communities served by the Great Western Main Line include [[London|West London]] (including [[Acton, London|Acton]], [[Ealing]], [[Hanwell]], [[Southall]], [[Hayes, Hillingdon|Hayes]], [[Harlington, London|Harlington]] and [[West Drayton]]); [[Iver]]; [[Langley, Slough|Langley]]; [[Slough]]; [[Burnham, Buckinghamshire|Burnham]]; [[Taplow]]; [[Maidenhead]]; [[Twyford, Berkshire|Twyford]]; [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]; [[Tilehurst]]; [[Pangbourne]]; [[Goring-on-Thames]]; [[Streatley, Berkshire|Streatley]]; [[Cholsey]]; [[Didcot]]; [[Swindon]]; [[Chippenham]]; [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]; [[Keynsham]]; and [[Bristol]].

From London to Didcot, the line follows the [[Thames Valley]], crossing the [[River Thames]] three times, including on the [[Maidenhead Railway Bridge]]. Between Chippenham and Bath the line passes through [[Box Tunnel]], and then follows the valley of the [[River Avon (Bristol)|River Avon]].

A junction west of Swindon allows trains to reach Bristol by an alternative route along the [[South Wales Main Line]]. Other diversionary routes exist between Chippenham and Bath via the [[Wessex Main Line]], although this involves a reversal at Bradford Junction; and from Reading to Bath via the [[Bristol to Taunton Line|Berks and Hants Line]].

==Services==
Most services are provided by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (GWR). The stations served by trains between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads are {{Stnlnk|Reading}}, {{Stnlnk|Didcot Parkway}}, {{Stnlnk|Swindon}}, {{Stnlnk|Chippenham}}, and {{Stnlnk|Bath Spa}}. Some trains between London and Bristol do not call at Didcot Parkway.

The [[Elizabeth line]] runs on the Great Western Main Line between London and Reading.

Fast trains from Paddington to [[London Heathrow Airport]] are operated by [[Heathrow Airport Holdings]]{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} as the [[Heathrow Express]].

[[CrossCountry]] operate trains between Reading and Oxford, using the Great Western Main Line as far as Didcot.

Great Western Railway also operate a train between London Paddington – Cardiff Central every 30 minutes, with hourly extensions to [[Swansea railway station|Swansea]]. At Swansea/Cardiff there is a connecting [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]] boat train to/from [[Fishguard Harbour railway station|Fishguard Harbour]] for the [[Stena Line]] ferry to [[Rosslare Europort]] in [[Ireland]]. An integrated timetable is offered between [[London Paddington]] and [[Rosslare Europort]] with through ticketing available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/rail-and-sail/fishguard/ |title=Sail and Rail to Britain – Train and Ferry Travel to England & Wales – Stena Line |publisher=Stenaline.ie |access-date=16 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005619/http://www.stenaline.ie/ferry/rail-and-sail/fishguard/ |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Daytime and nocturnal journeys are offered in both directions daily (including Sundays).

==Infrastructure==
[[File:St James Railway Bridge, Bath.jpg|thumb|right|St James Railway Bridge, Bath]]
Between London and Didcot there are four tracks, two for each direction. The main lines are mostly used by the faster trains and are on the south side of the route. The relief lines on the north side are used for slower services and those that call at all stations, as only London Paddington, Slough, Maidenhead, Twyford, Reading and [[Didcot Parkway railway station|Didcot Parkway]] stations have platforms on the main lines (although a few others have main line platforms that can be used in an emergency). Between Didcot and [[Royal Wootton Bassett]], a series of passing loops allow fast trains to overtake slower ones. This section is signalled for bi-directional running on each line but this facility is usually only used during engineering working or when there is significant disruption to traffic in one direction.<ref name=2007plans/>

The summit of the line is at Swindon, and falls away in each direction: Swindon is {{convert|270|ft|m}} above Paddington, and {{convert|292|ft|m}} above Bristol Temple Meads. The maximum [[grade (slope)|gradient]] between Paddington and Didcot is 1 in 1320 (0.75{{nbsp}}[[‰]] or 0.075[[Percent sign|%]]); between Didcot and Swindon it is 1 in 660 (1.5{{nbsp}}‰ or 0.15%) but west of Swindon, gradients as steep as 1 in 100 (10{{nbsp}}‰ or 1%) are found in places, such as [[Box Tunnel]] and to the east of {{stnlnk|Dauntsey}}.{{sfn|MacDermot|1927|pp=124, 127}}{{sfn|Gradient Profiles|2003|loc=figs. W1, W6}}

The line is electrified between Paddington and Langley Burrell (just east of Chippenham) using {{nowrap|[[25 kV AC]]}} overhead supply lines; the Reading to Taunton line (as far as Newbury) and the South Wales Main Line (as far as Cardiff Central) are also electrified.

The line speed is {{cvt|125|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Great Western Main Line|url=http://www.agilitytrains.com/great-western-main-line|publisher=Agility Trains|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222115910/http://www.agilitytrains.com/great-western-main-line|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The relief lines from Paddington to Didcot are limited to {{cvt|90|mph|km/h}} as far as Reading, and then {{cvt|100|mph|km/h}} to Didcot. Lower restrictions apply at various locations.<ref name=2007plans>{{cite web|title=Route Plans 2007 Route 13 Great Western Main Line|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse_documents/BusinessPlan2007/PDF/Route_2013_Great_Western_Main_Line.pdf|publisher=Network Rail|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925215820/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse_documents/BusinessPlan2007/PDF/Route_2013_Great_Western_Main_Line.pdf|archive-date=25 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The line is one of two [[Network Rail]]-owned lines equipped with the [[Automatic Train Protection]] (ATP) system, the other being the [[Chiltern Main Line]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Great Western Main Line ATP Pilot Scheme|url=http://www.traintesting.com/GWML%20ATP.htm|publisher=Train Testing|access-date=20 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223114737/http://www.traintesting.com/GWML%20ATP.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Tunnels, viaducts and major bridges ===
Major civil engineering structures on the Great Western Main Line include the following.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Railway Track Diagrams Book 3 Western|last=Bridge|first=Mike|publisher=Tackmaps|year=2010|isbn=978-0-9549866-6-7|location=Bradford on Avon|pages=1–5}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Tunnels, viaducts and major bridges on the Great Western Main Line
!Railway structure
!Length
!Distance from London Paddington
!Location
|-
|Subway Tunnel (LU)
|{{convert|117|yd|m}}
|{{convert|0|mi|67|chain|km}} – {{convert|0|mi|73|chain|km}}
|West of Royal Oak
|-
|Spring Bridge Road Car Park Tunnel
|{{convert|121|yd|m}}
|{{convert|5|mi|70|chain|km}} – {{convert|5|mi|76|chain|km}}
|West of [[Ealing Broadway station|Ealing Broadway]]
|-
|Hanwell Viaduct
|{{convert|44|yd|m}}
|{{convert|7|mi|35|chain|km}} –  {{convert|7|mi|38|chain|km}}
| rowspan="3" |West of [[Hanwell railway station|Hanwell]]
|-
|[[Wharncliffe Viaduct]]
|{{convert|297|yd|m}}
|{{convert|7|mi|43|chain|km}} – {{convert|7|mi|56|chain|km}}
|-
|Hanwell Bridge
|{{convert|4|chain|m}}
|{{convert|8|mi|00|chain|km}} – {{convert|8|mi|04|chain|km}}
|-
|[[Maidenhead Railway Bridge|Maidenhead Viaduct]] ([[River Thames]])
|{{convert|237|yd|m}}
|{{convert|23|mi|21|chain|km}} – {{convert|23|mi|32|chain|km}}
|East of [[Maidenhead railway station|Maidenhead]]
|-
|Seven Arch Viaduct
|{{convert|68|yd|m}}
|{{convert|31|mi|19|chain|km}} – {{convert|31|mi|22|chain|km}}
| rowspan="2" |West of [[Twyford railway station|Twyford]]
|-
|River Loddon Viaduct
|{{convert|70|yd|m}}
|{{convert|31|mi|43|chain|km}} – {{convert|31|mi|46|chain|km}}
|-
|Kennet Bridge ([[Kennet and Avon Canal|Kennet & Avon Canal]])
|{{convert|4|chain|m}}
|{{convert|34|mi|77|chain|km}} – {{convert|35|mi|01|chain|km}}
|East of [[Reading railway station|Reading]]
|-
|[[Gatehampton Railway Bridge|Gatehampton Viaduct]] (River Thames)
|{{convert|99|yd|m}}
|{{convert|44|mi|00|chain|km}} – {{convert|44|mi|05|chain|km}}
|East of [[Goring & Streatley railway station|Goring & Streatley]]
|-
|[[Moulsford Railway Bridge|Moulsford Viaduct]] (River Thames)
|{{convert|147|yd|m}}
|{{convert|47|mi|27|chain|km}} – {{convert|47|mi|34|chain|km}}
|East of [[Cholsey railway station|Cholsey]]
|-
|River Avon Viaduct
|{{convert|72|yd|m}}
|{{convert|90|mi|77|chain|km}} – {{convert|91|mi|00|chain|km}}
|East of [[Chippenham railway station|Chippenham]]
|-
|[[Chippenham viaduct]]
|{{convert|90|yd|m}}
|{{convert|94|mi|08|chain|km}} – {{convert|94|mi|13|chain|km}}
|West of Chippenham
|-
|[[Box Tunnel]]
|{{convert|1|mi|1452|yd|km}}
|{{convert|99|mi|12|chain|km}} – {{convert|100|mi|78|chain|km}}
| rowspan="2" |Between Chippenham and [[Bath Spa railway station|Bath Spa]]
|-
|Middle Hill Tunnel
|{{convert|198|yd|m}}
|{{convert|101|mi|39|chain|km}} – {{convert|101|mi|48|chain|km}}
|-
|Sydney Gardens East Tunnel
|{{convert|77|yd|m}}
|{{convert|106|mi|24|chain|km}} – {{convert|106|mi|28|chain|km}}
| rowspan="3" |East of Bath Spa
|-
|Sydney Gardens West Tunnel
|{{convert|99|yd|m}}
|{{convert|106|mi|29|chain|km}} – {{convert|106|mi|33|chain|km}}
|-
|Dolemeads Viaduct
|{{convert|355|yd|m}}
|{{convert|106|mi|49|chain|km}} – {{convert|106|mi|60|chain|km}}
|-
|Arches and St James Viaduct
|{{convert|600|yd|m}}
|{{convert|106|mi|68|chain|km}} – {{convert|107|mi|20|chain|km}}
|West of Bath Spa
|-
|Twerton Viaduct
|{{convert|638|yd|m}}
|{{convert|108|mi|29|chain|km}} – {{convert|108|mi|58|chain|km}}
| rowspan="4" |Between [[Oldfield Park railway station|Oldfield Park]] and [[Keynsham railway station|Keynsham]]
|-
|Twerton Short Tunnel
|{{convert|45|yd|m}}
|{{convert|108|mi|70|chain|km}} – {{convert|108|mi|72|chain|km}}
|-
|Twerton Long Tunnel
|{{convert|264|yd|m}}
|{{convert|109|mi|03|chain|km}} – {{convert|109|mi|15|chain|km}}
|-
|Saltford Tunnel
|{{convert|176|yd|m}}
|{{convert|111|mi|57|chain|km}} – {{convert|111|mi|65|chain|km}}
|-
|St Annes Park Arches Viaduct
|{{convert|4|chain|m}}
|{{convert|115|mi|25|chain|km}} – {{convert|115|mi|29|chain|km}}
| rowspan="7" |Between Keynsham

and [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads]]
|-
|St Annes Park No.3 Tunnel (or Foxes Wood Tunnel)
|{{convert|1017|yd|m}}
|{{convert|115|mi|58|chain|km}} – {{convert|116|mi|25|chain|km}}
|-
|St Annes Park or (Bristol) No.2 Tunnel
|{{convert|154|yd|m}}
|{{convert|116|mi|41|chain|km}} – {{convert|116|mi|48|chain|km}}
|-
|Main River Viaduct (River Avon)
|{{convert|108|yd|m}}
|c. {{convert|117|mi|24|chain|km}}
|-
|Main Down Viaduct (River Avon)
|{{convert|141|yd|m}}
|{{convert|117|mi|21|chain|km}} – {{convert|117|mi|27|chain|km}}
|-
|The Feeder
|
|{{convert|117|mi|51|chain|km}}
|-
|[[Bristol Harbour|Floating Harbour]]
|{{convert|3|chain|m}}
|{{convert|118|mi|16|chain|km}} – {{convert|118|mi|19|chain|km}}
|}

==== Line-side monitoring equipment ====
Line-side train monitoring equipment includes hot axle box detectors (HABD) and 'Wheelchex' wheel impact load detectors (WILD), sited as follows.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/misc/habdwild.shtm|title=Railway Codes: HABD and WILD equipment}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Line-side monitoring equipment on the Great Western Main Line
!Name & Type
!Line
!Location (distance from Paddington)
|-
| rowspan="2" |Maidenhead HABD
|Up Relief
|{{convert|24|mi|03|chain|km}}
|-
|Up Main
|{{convert|24|mi|10|chain|km}}
|-
|Waltham WILD
|Up Relief, Down Relief, Up Main, Down Main
|{{convert|26|mi|21|chain|km}}
|-
|Twyford HABD
|Down Relief, Down Main
|{{convert|32|mi|02|chain|km}}
|-
|Basildon HABD
|Up Relief, Down Relief, Up Main
(Down Main disconnected December 2016)
|{{convert|43|mi|42|chain|km}}
|-
|Cholsey WILD
|Up Relief, Down Relief, Up Main, Down Main
|{{convert|49|mi|05|chain|km}}
|-
|Wantage Road HABD
|Up Main
|{{convert|59|mi|57|chain|km}}
|-
|Bourton HABD
|Down Main
|{{convert|72|mi|20|chain|km}}
|-
|Studley HABD
|Up Main
|{{convert|81|mi|40|chain|km}}
|-
|Twerton HABD 
|Down Main
|{{convert|108|mi|60|chain|km}}
|}

==Recent developments==
{{Main|21st-century modernisation of the Great Western Main Line }}
Since 2011, the Great Western has been undergoing a £5{{nbsp}}billion modernisation by Network Rail.{{sfn|Network Rail|2011|p=8}}

[[Reading railway station]] saw a major redevelopment with new platforms, a new entrance, footbridge and lifts; the work was completed a year ahead of schedule<ref name=bbc_9July2012>{{cite news|title=Reading rail station revamp 'a year ahead of schedule'|work=BBC News |date=9 July 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-18769442|access-date=11 December 2015|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084222/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-18769442|url-status=live}}</ref> in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=£425M transformation planned at Reading|url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2008/09/10-reading-station-boost.html|work=railnews.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2011|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084206/https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2008/09/10-reading-station-boost.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-28334188 Queen opens revamped Reading station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-28334188 |date=16 July 2021 }} ''BBC News'' 17 July 2014</ref>

===Electrification===
The eastern section from [[Paddington station|Paddington]] to {{stnlnk|Hayes & Harlington}} was electrified in 1998.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} The [[Crossrail]] project covered electrification of the line from Airport Junction to Maidenhead and, following a number of announcements and delays, the government announced in March 2011 that it would electrify the line as far as Bristol Temple Meads.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 March 2011|title=Great Western electrification and IEP to go ahead|url=https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2011/03/01-great-western-electrification-and-iep.html|access-date=1 July 2020|website=Railnews|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084207/https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2011/03/01-great-western-electrification-and-iep.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Network Rail|2011|p=9}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Network Rail |date=June 2011 |title=Modernising the Great Western |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/uploadedFiles/networkrailcouk/Contents/Improvements/The_Great_Western/WesternVision.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413065743/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/uploadedFiles/networkrailcouk/Contents/Improvements/The_Great_Western/WesternVision.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2013 |access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref>

Following delays to the work and a large increase in costs,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 October 2015 |title=Cost of Great Western mainline electrification project triples to £2.8bn |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/21/cost-to-electrify-great-western-mainline-triples-to-28bn-risking-other-schemes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084235/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/21/cost-to-electrify-great-western-mainline-triples-to-28bn-risking-other-schemes |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=26 December 2016 |website=[[TheGuardian.com]]}}</ref> the Conservative government announced in July 2017 that, for the time being, electrification would only be completed as far as Thingley Junction, {{convert|2|mi|km}} west of Chippenham.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=20 July 2017 |title=Grayling sparks fury by scrapping rail electrification plans |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/20/grayling-sparks-fury-by-scrapping-rail-electrification-plans |url-status=live |access-date=23 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084149/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/20/grayling-sparks-fury-by-scrapping-rail-electrification-plans |archive-date=16 July 2021 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 November 2016 |title=Great Western electrification projects deferred |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/great-western-electrification-projects-deferred/43474.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084147/https://www.railwaygazette.com/infrastructure/great-western-electrification-projects-deferred/43474.article |archive-date=16 July 2021 |access-date=1 July 2020 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}</ref> Electrification as far as [[Didcot Parkway railway station|Didcot Parkway]] was completed in December 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 January 2018 |title=GWR Electrostar fleet enters service after electrification completed |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gwr-electrostar-fleet-enters-service-after-electrification-completed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517214212/http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/gwr-electrostar-fleet-enters-service-after-electrification-completed |archive-date=17 May 2018 |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=Railway Technology Magazine}}</ref> and to Thingley Junction in December 2019.{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Electrification of associated lines, including [[Bristol Parkway railway station|Bristol Parkway]] to Temple Meads and Didcot to Oxford, was also postponed indefinitely; electrification of the route between London and Cardiff was completed in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2020 |title=Major projects update: January |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/major-projects-update-january |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131104248/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/major-projects-update-january |archive-date=2020-01-31 |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Network Rail |language=en-GB}}</ref> The government argued that bi-mode trains would fill in the gaps pending completion of electrification, although the [[British Rail Class 800|Class 800]] trains are slower in diesel mode than under electric power.

===Other proposals===
{{Update section|date=March 2023}}

Network Rail plans to install [[European Rail Traffic Management System]] (ERTMS) in-cab signalling on the Great Western line;<ref name="GvtRailElectricationPaper">{{cite web |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/rail-electrification.pdf |title=DfT Rail Electrification paper |publisher=Dft.gov.uk |access-date=16 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805225151/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/rail-electrification.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2009}}</ref>{{sfn|Network Rail|2011|p=11}} this is a pre-requisite for the [[Intercity Express Programme|Super Express]] trains to run at 140{{nbsp}}mph (225{{nbsp}}km/h).<ref>See [[Hitachi Super Express]] article</ref> Some or all of the resignalling work will be undertaken during the electrification work.<ref name="GvtRailElectricationPaper"/>

Further capacity improvements are also scheduled at Swindon, adding to recent changes and the new Platform 4.

Crossrail services are planned to terminate at Reading. Some of the current suburban services into London Paddington are planned to be transferred to the new Crossrail service, which will free up some surface-level capacity at Paddington.<ref name="GvtRailElectricationPaper" />

Other more distant aspirations include resignalling and capacity improvements at Reading; the provision of four continuous tracks between Didcot and Swindon (including a grade-separated junction at Milton, where the westbound relief line switches from the north side of the line to the south); and resignalling between Bath and Bristol to enable trains to run closer together.

Access to [[Heathrow Airport]] from the west remains an aspiration and the 2009 [[Heathrow Airtrack]] scheme, abandoned in 2011, proposed a route south of the Great Western Main Line to link the airport with Reading. Plans for electrification of the line will make it easier to access Heathrow from Reading, since lack of electrification between Reading station and Airport Junction (near West Drayton station) was a limiting factor.<ref name="GvtRailElectricationPaper" /> Plans under consideration in 2014 included new tunnels between Heathrow and [[Langley, Berkshire|Langley]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Heathrow rail link plan unveiled by Network Rail|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26064200|access-date=11 April 2015|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|date=6 February 2014|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084240/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26064200|url-status=live}}</ref>

Network Rail intends to replace the ATP system with [[ETCS#ETCS – Level 2|ETCS – Level 2]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/iep/iepinvitationtotender/infrastructureinterface.pdf |title=Network Rail Train Infrastructure Interface Specification |publisher=Dft.gov.uk |access-date=16 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122073905/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/iep/iepinvitationtotender/infrastructureinterface.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2009}}</ref> from 2017 to 2035 along with the introduction of the new [[Intercity Express Programme|IEP]] trains.

Signalling Solutions is to resignal the {{convert|12|mi|km}} from Paddington to {{rws|West Drayton}}, including the Airport branch, as part of the [[Crossrail]] project.<ref name="Rail671">{{cite journal|journal=[[Rail Magazine]]|issue=671|page=17|title=GWML signalling contract signed|date=1–14 June 2011|editor=Nigel Harris}}</ref>

===Calls for station reopenings===
There are calls for the reintroduction of [[Corsham railway station|Corsham station]] due to recent growth of the town.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hicks|first1=Amber|title=Corsham Station campaigners meet Department for Transport officials|url=http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/11568345.Corsham_Station_campaigners_meet_Department_for_Transport_officials/|access-date=11 April 2015|work=Wiltshire Times|publisher=Newsquest (Oxfordshire and Wiltshire)|date=30 October 2014|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417034244/http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/11568345.Corsham_Station_campaigners_meet_Department_for_Transport_officials/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Corsham railway station|original station]] was closed to passengers in 1965.

A local group is campaigning for the reopening of [[Saltford railway station|Saltford station]] between Bath and Bristol, to coincide with electrification.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rail-ly good news over station plan for Saltford|url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Rail-ly-good-news-station-plan/story-25616274-detail/story.html|access-date=11 April 2015|work=Bath Chronicle|publisher=Local World|date=13 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923192602/http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Rail-ly-good-news-station-plan/story-25616274-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There have also been calls to reopen the former [[Wantage Road railway station|Wantage Road station]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29430204 |title=MPS call for direct rail service between Oxford and Bristol |work=BBC News |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084151/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29430204 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Oxfordshire County Council]] included a proposal for a new station to serve Wantage and Grove in their 2015–2031 local transport plan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/roadsandtransport/transportpoliciesandplans/localtransportplan/ConnectingOxfordshirevol1policyandoverallstrategy.pdf |title=Connecting Oxfordshire: Local Transport Plan 2015–2031 |access-date=26 August 2015 |archive-date=16 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084155/https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/roadsandtransport/transportpoliciesandplans/localtransportplan/ConnectingOxfordshirevol1policyandoverallstrategy.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Major incidents==
*[[Slough rail accident]] – 16 June 1900 – An express train from Paddington to {{rws|Falmouth Docks}} ran through two sets of signals at danger and collided with a local train heading for [[Windsor & Eton Central railway station|Windsor]]. Five passengers were killed and 35 seriously injured.
*[[Ealing rail crash]] – 19 December 1973 – A train from Paddington to Oxford derailed after a loose battery box cover on the [[British Rail Class 52|Class 52 "Western" locomotive]] hauling the train struck lineside equipment, causing a set of points to move under the train. Ten passengers were killed and 94 injured.
*[[Southall rail crash]] – 19 September 1997 – An [[InterCity 125]] service from {{rws|Swansea}} to Paddington, operated by [[First Great Western|Great Western Trains]], failed to stop at a red signal and collided with a freight train entering Southall goods yard. Seven people were killed and 139 were injured. The incident severely damaged public confidence in the safety of the rail system. It was found that the train's [[Automatic Warning System|automatic warning system]] (AWS) was faulty, and the driver had been distracted (he had bent down to pack his bag). Great Western Trains was fined £1.5{{nbsp}}million for violations of health and safety law in connection with the accident.
* [[Ladbroke Grove rail crash]] – 5 October 1999 – A [[Thames Trains]] service from Paddington to {{rws|Bedwyn}} passed a signal at danger at the gantry protecting a main set of (crossover) points between the one-way and bi-directionally used lines. The train ran the wrong way down the line and was hit head-on by a [[First Great Western]] [[InterCity 125|HST]] service from {{rws|Cheltenham Spa}} to Paddington at a closing speed of approximately {{cvt|130|mph|kph}}. 31{{nbsp}}people died, including both drivers, with more than 520{{nbsp}}people injured. Thames Trains was fined £2{{nbsp}}million for violations of health and safety law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/traincrash/Story/0,,1186298,00.html|title=Thames Trains fined £2m for Paddington crash|work=The Guardian|date=5 April 2004|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084227/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/apr/05/transport.ladbrokegrove|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Railtrack]] pleaded guilty to charges under the [[Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974|Health and Safety at Work Act 1974]] in relation to the accident. It was subsequently fined £4{{nbsp}}million and was also ordered to pay £225,000 in costs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6510077.stm|title=Paddington crash prompts £4m fine|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=30 March 2007|access-date=30 October 2011|archive-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716084221/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/v51.js|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Rolling stock==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
 
===Commuter trains===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Cars per set
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Operator
! rowspan="2" |Routes
! rowspan="2" |Built
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
!mph
!km/h
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{brc|158}}
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Bathpool - GWR 158763+158747 Cardiff service.JPG|150x150px]]
|rowspan="2"| [[Diesel Multiple Unit]]
|rowspan="2"| 90
|rowspan="2"| 145
| 2
| 22
|rowspan="2"| [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|rowspan="2"| 
* Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour
* Cardiff Central/Bristol Temple Meads – Exeter St Davids
* Bristol Temple Meads – Weymouth
|rowspan="2"| 1989–92
|-
| 3
| 19
|-
| rowspan="2" | {{brc|165}}
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Oxford - GWR 165116 leaving for Reading.JPG|150px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Diesel Multiple Unit]]
| rowspan="2" | 90
| rowspan="2" | 145
|2
|20
| rowspan="2" | [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
| rowspan="3" |
* Reading – Redhill or Gatwick Airport
* Reading – Basingstoke
* Reading or Didcot Parkway – Oxford or Banbury
* Twyford – Henley-on-Thames
* Maidenhead – Marlow
* Slough – Windsor & Eton Central
* West Ealing – Greenford
* Bristol Temple Meads – Avonmouth or Severn Beach
* Great Malvern – Bristol Temple Meads – Southampton Central or Weymouth
* Swindon – Gloucester or Weymouth
* Cardiff Central – Portsmouth Harbour

| rowspan="2" | 1990-92
|-
|3
|16
|-
| {{brc|166}}
| [[File:Caerdydd Canolog - GWR 166219.JPG|150x150px]]
| [[Diesel Multiple Unit]]
| 90
| 145
| 3
| 21
| [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
| 1992-93
|-
| {{brc|345}}
| [[File:Ealing Broadway - TfL 345015 Paddington service.JPG|150px]]
| [[Electric Multiple Unit]]
| 90
| 145
| 9
| 70
| [[Elizabeth line]]
| London Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 4 and Reading
| 2015-19
|-
| {{brc|387}}
| [[File:Reading - GWR 387132+387143 Didcot service.JPG|150x150px]]<br>[[File:387118 and 387 number 116 Beckenham to Bedford 1G79.jpg|150x150px]]
| [[Electric Multiple Unit]]
| 110
| 177
| 4
| 36
| [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
| London Paddington to Didcot Parkway<br>
London Paddington and Reading to Newbury
| 2016–17
|-
|}

===High speed trains===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Cars per set
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Operator
! rowspan="2" |Routes
! rowspan="2" |Built
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
!mph
!km/h
|-
|{{brc|220}}
|[[File:Reading railway station MMB 50 220013.jpg|150x150px]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Diesel electric multiple unit|DEMU]]
|rowspan="2"| 125
|rowspan="2"| 201
|rowspan="2"| 4 or 5
| 34
|rowspan="2"| [[CrossCountry]]
|rowspan="2"|
* Bristol Temple Meads — [[Exeter St Davids railway station|Exeter]], [[Paignton railway station|Paignton]], [[Plymouth railway station|Plymouth]] and [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]]
* Bristol Temple Meads — [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]], [[Manchester Piccadilly railway station|Manchester]], [[York railway station|York]], [[Newcastle railway station|Newcastle]], [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh]], [[Dundee railway station|Dundee]] and [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]]
* [[Reading railway station|Reading]] — [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]], [[Birmingham New Street railway station|Birmingham New Street]], [[Southampton Central railway station|Southampton Central]] and [[Bournemouth railway station|Bournemouth]]
|rowspan="2"| {{nowrap|2000-01}}
|-
|{{brc|221}}
| [[File:Bath Spa - CrossCountry 221132 Edinburgh service.JPG|150x150px]]
| 22
|-
|rowspan="2"|{{brc|800}}
|rowspan="2"|[[File:Norton Fitzwarren - GWR 800003 Exeter to London.JPG|150x150px]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Bi-Mode Multiple Unit]]
|rowspan="2"|140
|rowspan="2"|225
|5
|36
|rowspan="2"| [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|rowspan="2"|London Paddington to:{{Unbulleted list| – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford| – Cardiff Central, Swansea, Carmarthen| – Bristol Temple Meads, Weston-super-Mare| – Cheltenham Spa, Taunton, Paignton}}
|rowspan="2"|2014-18
|-
|9
|21
|-
|rowspan=2|{{brc|802}}
|rowspan=2|[[File:Bathpool - GWR 802110 London service.JPG|150x150px]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Electro-diesel multiple unit|Bi-Mode Multiple Unit]]
|rowspan="2"|140
|rowspan="2"|225
|5
|22
|rowspan="2"| [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|rowspan="2"| London Paddington to: {{Unbulleted list| – Exeter St Davids, Plymouth, Penzance| – Oxford, Bedwyn, Worcester Shrub Hill, Great Malvern, Hereford||}}
|rowspan="2"|2017-20
|-
|9
|14
|-
|}

===Sleeper trains===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Operator
! rowspan="2" |Routes
! rowspan="2" |Built
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
!mph
!km/h
|-
|{{brc|57}}
|[[File:St Philip's Marsh - GWR 57603.JPG|150px]]
|[[Diesel locomotive]]
|95
|152
|4
|rowspan="2"|[[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] 
|rowspan="2"| {{Stn|London Paddington}} to {{Stnlnk|Penzance}} (The ''[[Night Riviera]]'')
|1998-2004
|-
|[[Sleeper Either Class|Mark 3]]
|[[File:Long Rock Sidings - GWR Mk3 RFB 10219.JPG|150px]]
|[[Passenger car (rail)|Passenger coach]]
|125
|200
|18
|1975-88
|-
|}

==Notes==
The reference for the route map diagram is:-
{{Jowett-Atlas|pages=113, 115a, 116, 118b, 118d, 120, 124–25}}

==See also==
* [[East Coast Main Line]]
* [[West Coast Main Line]]
* [[Midland Main Line]]
* [[Highland Main Line]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book |title=BR Main Line Gradient Profiles: The Age of Steam |date=January 2003 |orig-year=1966 |publisher=[[Ian Allan Publishing|Ian Allan]] |location=Hersham |isbn=0-7110-0875-2 |id=0301/A |ref={{SfnRef|Gradient Profiles|2003}} }}
*{{cite book |last=MacDermot |first=E.T. |title=History of the Great Western Railway, vol. I: 1833-1863 |year=1927 |publisher=[[Great Western Railway]] |location=Paddington }}
* {{cite web | url =https://content.historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/gwml-gazetteer/gwml-gazetteer.pdf/| title = Great Western Main Line Route Structures Gazetteer – Prepared for Network Rail| date = April 2012|publisher = Alan Baxter & Associates LLP | first1 = Joanna|last1 =  Sanderson |first2= Richard|last2= Pollard |first3= Robert|last3= Thorne |first4 =  Robert |last4 = Hradsky | first5 = Robert|last5 =  Bevan |first6 = Jason|last6 =  Howell |first7 = Boris|last7 =  Bogdanovich |first8 =  Tim |last8 = Harrison| editor-first = Susannah |editor-last = Meade |editor-first2 = Patricia| editor-last2 = Craggs }}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | title = Pre-grouping Atlas and Gazetteer | publisher = Ian Allan Limited |year=1976 | location = Shepperton | isbn = 0-7110-0320-3 }}
* {{cite book | last = MacDermot | first = E T | title = History of the Great Western Railway, volume II 1863-1921 | publisher = [[Great Western Railway]] |year=1931 | location = London}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Great Western Main Line}}
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
*{{BRin1960|WRLD01|Paddington, Reading General, Didcot and Milton}}
*{{BRin1960|WRLD02|Reading, Main Line West and Bedwyn}}
{{Great Western Railway}}
{{Brunel}}
{{Main inter-regional railway lines in Great Britain}}
{{Railway lines in London}}
{{Railway lines in South East England}}
{{Railway lines in South West England}}
{{Transport in Buckinghamshire}}
{{Transport in Bristol}}
{{Crossrail navbox}}

[[Category:Great Western Main Line| ]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Berkshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Bristol]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Railway operators in London]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Ealing]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hillingdon]]
[[Category:Transport in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Westminster]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1840]]
[[Category:Railway lines in London]]
[[Category:Railway lines in South East England]]
[[Category:Railway lines in South West England]]
[[Category:Main inter-regional railway lines in Great Britain]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in England]]
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