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Gatwick to Reading journey

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L&Y Robert

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My transatlantic cousins arrive at Gatwick next week, and they tell me they have tickets for First G.W. Gatwick to Reading. Is this right? Does First G.W. run to and from Gatwick? I can't find out what the route is, one suggestion is Redhill - Guildford - Wokingham. If that is correct, does that involve reversal at Redhill?
 
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swt_passenger

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Yes, hourly, and you have the route exactly right. TOC now usually referred to as GWR.
 
USBT

USBT

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L&Y Robert said:
I can't find out what the route is, one suggestion is Redhill - Guildford - Wokingham. If that is correct, does that involve reversal at Redhill?
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Yes that’s exactly it. Gatwick-Redhill, then reverses onto the North Downs line.
 
DelW

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In between the hourly through trains, it may be possible to use Southern or Thameslink to get to Redhill and change onto the hourly GWR Redhill to Reading stopper, though there's only a short period in most hours when that offers any benefit. Via Guildford is a rather cheaper routing than via London.

As detailed on another thread, there should have been half-hourly through services between Gatwick and Reading by now, but that requirement seems to be parked in the too-difficult box for the foreseeable future.
 
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Ianno87

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DelW said:
In between the hourly through trains, it may be possible to use Southern or Thameslink to get to Redhill and change onto the hourly GWR Redhill to Reading stopper, though there's only a short period in most hours when that offers any benefit. Via Guildford is a rather cheaper routing than via London.

As detailed on another thread, there should have been half-hourly through services between Gatwick and Reading by now, but that requirement seems to be parked in the too-difficult box for the foreseeable future.
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Also, changing between platforms may be necessary at Redhill, which is a bit of a faff if you've got alot of luggage. Probably just better off waiting for the through train, using the opportunity to grab a coffee, etc.
 
DelW

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Ianno87 said:
Also, changing between platforms may be necessary at Redhill, which is a bit of a faff if you've got alot of luggage. Probably just better off waiting for the through train, using the opportunity to grab a coffee, etc.
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I do the journey quite regularly, usually travelling with hand-baggage only, and if my timing is tight I'll have RTT up on my phone before I'm off the plane, so I know if it's worthwhile dashing through the terminal (and sometimes the shuttle) or not. Sometimes I can make a connection at Redhill that's too short to show up in the journey planner.

I fully agree with your point for the OP's relatives, though, as they'll probably have more baggage and be unfamiliar with the layout at Redhill.
 
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L&Y Robert

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Now that I have the route established, am I right in thinking that this route is third rail all the way? If so, does GWR use electrics for this service? Are the third rail platforms at Reading still just a pair of buffer-stop roads tucked away at the south-east corner of the station? It's a long time since I was there!
 
Fawkes Cat

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L&Y Robert said:
Now that I have the route established, am I right in thinking that this route is third rail all the way? If so, does GWR use electrics for this service? Are the third rail platforms at Reading still just a pair of buffer-stop roads tucked away at the south-east corner of the station? It's a long time since I was there!
Click to expand...
No:n/a:no:yes....
 
cactustwirly

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L&Y Robert said:
Now that I have the route established, am I right in thinking that this route is third rail all the way? If so, does GWR use electrics for this service? Are the third rail platforms at Reading still just a pair of buffer-stop roads tucked away at the south-east corner of the station? It's a long time since I was there!
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No, not all the way, so GWR use turbos on this route.
Yes, but they've redeveloped the station and added an extra platform.
So instead of the old 4A/4B, it's now platforms 4-6
 
gnolife

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To elaborate on the above posts, it's not electrified between Reigate and just south of Guildford, or between Ash and Wokingham
 
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swt_passenger

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The 3 “Southern” platforms at Reading are now much longer, and all 12 car to modern standards, extending beyond the Vastern Road overbridge at the east end. Also there’s now a double track approach to the platforms with a resulting increase in pointwork. They are no longer as hidden away, because the original footbridge and lifts were removed as part of the remodelling. So there’s now quite a large circulating area between the buffers and the 1970s concourse, which remains almost unchanged. The ‘centre of gravity’ of the whole station has moved well to the west, so to that extent they are slightly separate.
 
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