All-change as new fleets meet at Reading

The changing face of the Great Western route is evident at Reading on January 2, as Great Western Railway 800313 (left) arrives at the Berkshire station with a train bound for London Paddington. It is passing TfL Rail 345027, which is carrying out tests ahead of the Elizabeth Line’s eventual opening. When in use, ‘345s’ will run from here to Shenfield and Abbey Wood using the £16 billion Crossrail project. The station itself was rebuilt during the first half of the decade. GWR has 78 of its 93 Intercity Express Trains in traffic, and these are now operating most long-distance trains, as well as running under electric power to Bristol Parkway and Newbury.