Reading 2020

Reading 2020 is inspired by the current rebuilding programme, & the timetable opportunities it gives, as outlined in the Rail Engineer January 2013.

Reading 2020
DescriptionReading 2020 is inspired by the current rebuilding programme, & the timetable opportunities it gives, as outlined in the Rail Engineer January 2013.
Country United Kingdom
Time period2020
Train Operating CompanyGreat Western Railway, South West Trains, CrossCountry, CrossRail
Simulation difficulty6/10 stars
AuthorBob Rackley
WebsiteReading 2020
Route map

Great Western Main Line
Basingstoke & Newbury
Reading West
Reading Depot
Reading Triangle Sidings
Caversham Road Sidings
Reading
Kennet Bridge Loop
North Downs Line
Great Western Main Line

It is based on the existing layout modified to allow for expansion of the station, under the current rebuilding programme. The reopening of the southern tunnel to the east of the station links the relief platforms & Wokingham line. The Didcot main lines to the west of the station are on a viaduct passing over the new Cow Lane Curve (linking the Newbury & Basingstoke lines to the station relief lines), and the West Curve which links the Newbury & Basingstoke lines to the Didcot lines. An outline of these works is in the Rail Engineer for January 2013, available online. The track plan however is fictional.

Timetable

The timetable provides a frequent fast service from Paddington, & 4 semi fasts, calling at Ealing Broadway, Slough, Maidenhead, & Twyford. Local services between London & Maidenhead are now provided by Cross Rail. The semi fasts are then all sations west of Reading to Oxford or Newbury/Bedwyn. To this are added the Waterloo/Gatwick trains via Wokingham, the local Basingstoke to Reading service, the cross country Bournemouth to Manchester service, & Southampton to Birmingham freights.