Reading 2020

Description

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

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.

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.