Weekend Engineering Works

[whole diary]

[YouKnowNothing]

In light of all the works that have been going on over the past few years between Reading and Paddington and now that the line is electrified, why are the still works on going every weekend  that requires the train to trickle along on the slow lines? Surely it's not all maintenance and that some of these juicy passenger benefits from the biggest investment in a generation will be realised soon? Or is traveling at reduced speed into Paddington the new norm?

[Timmer]

There will always be engineering works long after electrification has finished and there will always be engineering works between Reading and Paddington. The fast lines are absolutely hammered between these two points thus need replacing more often. Weekends are the best time to do this.

[SandTEngineer]

Ahem.  They are Main Lines and Relief Lines.  The ex-WR doesn't do Fast and Slow

[Surrey 455]

Ahem.  They are Main Lines and Relief Lines.  The ex-WR doesn't do Fast and Slow

No. Just slow. 

[Timmer]

Ahem.  They are Main Lines and Relief Lines.  The ex-WR doesn't do Fast and Slow

I knew that was coming. Apologies to all our WR purists for such blasphemy 

[Lee]

We know how those in the main line Premier League feel - Our trains on the Guingamp-Carhaix route are currently replaced by coaches due to engineering work until 2 November!

Mind you, we tend to dance in celebration when this happens round our way, as the alternative on a number of French local lines is "temporary suspension" (i.e. effectively permanent closure) due to historic lack of maintenance...

EDIT to give clearer timetable link.