The Great Western Railway
Great Western Electrification Plans:
Network Rail is electrifying one of Britain's oldest railways in the country. Built in1838 by Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, he chose the route on the Chilterns side of the Goring Gap through Goring where the terrain is less hilly than across the river on the steeper escarpment of the North Wessex Downs. Pollution was not a major issue then, but now it is and everyone accepts greener alternatives are necessary and desirable.
Network Rail is electrifying one of Britain's oldest railways in the country. Built in1838 by Victorian engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, he chose the route on the Chilterns side of the Goring Gap through Goring where the terrain is less hilly than across the river on the steeper escarpment of the North Wessex Downs. Pollution was not a major issue then, but now it is and everyone accepts greener alternatives are necessary and desirable.
Now, the GWR is providing more reliable journeys and improving connections across southern England and South Wales: London and Bristol, including Newbury and Oxford, by 2016 and to Cardiff by 2017.
Once the electrification is completed, the new Japanese Hitachi 800 high-speed bi-mode (electro-diesel) trains will provide more capacity and shorter journey times for passengers, in addition to reduced carbon emissions.
The plans for electrification of the line can be viewed here and in NR’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in ‘Documents and Downloads’.
Once the electrification is completed, the new Japanese Hitachi 800 high-speed bi-mode (electro-diesel) trains will provide more capacity and shorter journey times for passengers, in addition to reduced carbon emissions.
The plans for electrification of the line can be viewed here and in NR’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in ‘Documents and Downloads’.
