Why has GWR removed Slough from Cotswold Line services to PAD?

cb00 · 5 Jan 2024

I used to travel to Heathrow by stopping at Slough, then (via the Elizabeth Line) via Hayes and Harlington to Heathrow.

Now it seems GWR no longer stops at Slough. Just downloaded the GWR timetable and Slough is no longer listed. Not sure when or why this happened

National Rail suggests I go all the way to Paddington and then take the Heathrow Express back out to Heathrow. I'd opt for the Elizabeth Line instead as £25 is a bit much for such a short journey.

Another option is to travel to Reading, then travel to Slough, then to Hayes and Harlington and then to Paddington. I typically wouldn't have an issue with three changes, but with the level of disruption I'm not sure this would be the most relaxing of journeys.

Are there other options for reaching Heathrow that may be viable here?

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43096 · 5 Jan 2024

cb00 said:
Another option is to travel to Reading, then travel to Slough, then to Hayes and Harlington and then to Paddington. I typically wouldn't have an issue with three changes, but with the level of disruption I'm not sure this would be the most relaxing of journeys.

Why would you change at Reading and Slough? There are direct Elizabeth line services from Reading to Hayes & Harlington, where you can change for the airport.

RJ · 5 Jan 2024

RailAir coach from Reading? One change, typical journey time is 43 minutes from Reading and probably cheaper than going via London.

AlastairFraser · 5 Jan 2024

cb00 said:
I used to travel to Heathrow by stopping at Slough, then (via the Elizabeth Line) via Hayes and Harlington to Heathrow.

Now it seems GWR no longer stops at Slough. Just downloaded the GWR timetable and Slough is no longer listed. Not sure when or why this happened

National Rail suggests I go all the way to Paddington and then take the Heathrow Express back out to Heathrow. I'd opt for the Elizabeth Line instead as £25 is a bit much for such a short journey.

Another option is to travel to Reading, then travel to Slough, then to Hayes and Harlington and then to Paddington. I typically wouldn't have an issue with three changes, but with the level of disruption I'm not sure this would be the most relaxing of journeys.

Are there other options for reaching Heathrow that may be viable here?

I think it's partly due to overcrowding on the Cotswolds and Oxfords that they cut the Slough stop, but also that GWR wished to path the service on the GWML fasts until Didcot I believe.
A route I might suggest is changing at Reading onto a GWR from Didcot/EL to Slough, where you have bus number 7 or 703 towards Heathrow Central Bus Station or T5.
You also have the option of taking EL from Reading to West Drayton, buses outside West Drayton will take you to T5 in about 15 mins if that's where you're heading, without the absurd HeX prices.

LiftFan · 5 Jan 2024

This might be wrong, but I heard they stopped running on the fasts because too many people were using the platforms to end their lives at Slough station.

It is a big help though IMO for pathing- I often found the fasts from the B&H when running late would get stuck behind a Slough stopper and end up screeching to a halt quite abruptly.

NSE · 5 Jan 2024

LiftFan said:
This might be wrong, but I heard they stopped running on the fasts because too many people were using the platforms to end their lives at Slough station.

It is a big help though IMO for pathing- I often found the fasts from the B&H when running late would get stuck behind a Slough stopper and end up screeching to a halt quite abruptly.

I doubt it. There are many, many fast services still going through Slough. Removing 1 or 2 tph is not going to make a difference.

From what others posted on here, it was done to keep crowding down as the train was packed full of Slough pax and, as you note, frequently slowed down the one behind.

JonathanH · 5 Jan 2024

RJ said:
RailAir coach from Reading? One change, typical journey time is 43 minutes from Reading and probably cheaper than going via London.

Nowhere near as cheap as changing at Slough though, as the railair coach from Reading is charged at quite a premium.

There isn't even an off-peak (period) return fare available from Oxford to Heathrow Bus - https://www.brfares.com/!fares?orig=OXF&dest=LHR&period=20231203 - so it is £33 each way, and the best part of £80 for an anytime return.

penguin8967 · 5 Jan 2024

Removing the Slough stops also meant that very few trains stopped on the main lines, allowing them to put up fences. It did seem fairly dangerous before having a platform right next to the entrance with trains passing through at full speed and no fence.

Wilts Wanderer · 5 Jan 2024

penguin8967 said:
Removing the Slough stops also meant that very few trains stopped on the main lines, allowing them to put up fences. It did seem fairly dangerous before having a platform right next to the entrance with trains passing through at full speed and no fence.

Not really, no different to the dozens of other platforms with adjacent 125mph lines across the country. If you want an unnerving (but still presumably safe) experience, go stand on platform 3 at Nuneaton under the canopies and feel the blasts of wind as a Pendolino goes through at linespeed.

class ep-09 · 6 Jan 2024

cb00 said:
I used to travel to Heathrow by stopping at Slough, then (via the Elizabeth Line) via Hayes and Harlington to Heathrow.

Now it seems GWR no longer stops at Slough. Just downloaded the GWR timetable and Slough is no longer listed. Not sure when or why this happened

National Rail suggests I go all the way to Paddington and then take the Heathrow Express back out to Heathrow. I'd opt for the Elizabeth Line instead as £25 is a bit much for such a short journey.

Another option is to travel to Reading, then travel to Slough, then to Hayes and Harlington and then to Paddington. I typically wouldn't have an issue with three changes, but with the level of disruption I'm not sure this would be the most relaxing of journeys.

Are there other options for reaching Heathrow that may be viable here?

GWR 387’s stop at Slough , next stop Paddington , I think ( I may be wrong ) .

As for a reason , why Cotswolds and Oxford fasts do not stop at Slough : EL increased its services on Relief lines, and 387’s ( Didcot “stoppers”) had to go on to Main lines going fast to / from Slough to / from Paddington giving EL space .
387’s are the crossed on to Reliefs from Mains mostly just before Slough at Dolphin Jn ( going from Lindon ).
I think some 387’s are crossed at Stockley Bridge Jn

Doctor Fegg · 6 Jan 2024

Either RailAir from Reading as @RJ has suggested, or the Airline coach from Oxford (Gloucester Green bus station, short walk from the railway station if you don’t have much luggage).

Paddington-Slough overcrowding was a real issue on Cotswold Line services so I’m glad they’ve dropped the stop.

GWVillager · 6 Jan 2024

Wilts Wanderer said:
Not really, no different to the dozens of other platforms with adjacent 125mph lines across the country. If you want an unnerving (but still presumably safe) experience, go stand on platform 3 at Nuneaton under the canopies and feel the blasts of wind as a Pendolino goes through at linespeed.

The main difference is that Slough is a very busy station at which passengers may not expect high speed trains to pass them very regularly just by the entrance. It is Elizabeth Line branded, after all.

Falcon1200 · 6 Jan 2024

GWVillager said:
The main difference is that Slough is a very busy station at which passengers may not expect high speed trains to pass them very regularly just by the entrance.

Indeed, plus the large number of passengers transferring to and from the Windsor shuttle via the Down Main platform; Is the bay now behind a fence?

RJ · 6 Jan 2024

JonathanH said:
Nowhere near as cheap as changing at Slough though, as the railair coach from Reading is charged at quite a premium.

There isn't even an off-peak (period) return fare available from Oxford to Heathrow Bus - https://www.brfares.com/!fares?orig=OXF&dest=LHR&period=20231203 - so it is £33 each way, and the best part of £80 for an anytime return.

The inference is the OP buys a ticket to Reading then gets the bus. A single from Reading to Heathrow is £22 and an Anytime Return is £30, which is likely cheaper than going via London.

As the OP has expressed multiple interchanges is not currently desirable the advice is tailored to that. Changing at Slough might be cheaper but it has been ruled out as an option...

cb00 said:
Another option is to travel to Reading, then travel to Slough, then to Hayes and Harlington and then to Paddington. I typically wouldn't have an issue with three changes, but with the level of disruption I'm not sure this would be the most relaxing of journeys.

Are there other options for reaching Heathrow that may be viable here?

There is the direct train from Reading to Hayes and Harlington to save an interchange although I get that it's almost a 30 minute wait from the Cotswold service.

Mitchell Hurd · 6 Jan 2024

I believe this was due to complaints from North Cotswolds line passengers. GWR mentioned that passengers travelling to Windsor & Eton Central basically normally took the fast services which they're not designed for they said hence the Elizabeth Line and 387's.

RailWonderer · 6 Jan 2024

NSE said:
From what others posted on here, it was done to keep crowding down as the train was packed full of Slough pax and, as you note, frequently slowed down the one behind.

Having used Slough briefly a few years ago it always surprised me how passengers mostly rejected 4tph to London in 30 mins and crowded platform 3 for a much longer wait just to get there in 15 mins on an IC service where they would stand half the time.

RJ · 6 Jan 2024

RailWonderer said:
Having used Slough briefly a few years ago it always surprised me how passengers mostly rejected 4tph to London in 30 mins and crowded platform 3 for a much longer wait just to get there in 15 mins on an IC service where they would stand half the time.

Most people will go for the fastest route as a lot of people don't like being on public transport any long than they have to be. A minority will go for a slower train if it's more comfortable. Maybe things change with longer journey times!

Mcr Warrior · 6 Jan 2024

RJ said:
It's something similar on the buses along that corridor, people would rather let the full limited stop bus go and wait 10 minutes for the next one, than take the empty all stops bus which would get them to their destination first. People put a value on less stops as it's pretty unpleasant to be on a full stopping service and being barged and jostled about at each stop.

Indeed. Seen that in the past when rail replacement buses were in operation on Sunday evenings on the Brighton Main Line between Three Bridges and Brighton. Passengers for Brighton often preferred to wait for the next available (and usually crowded) "direct" bus rather than take the about to depart, but half empty "all stops" bus. The "direct" bus was usually also preferred to travelling to Brighton by train via the Arun Valley line / Littlehampton.

MrJeeves · 6 Jan 2024

Mcr Warrior said:
Passengers for Brighton often preferred to wait for the next available (and usually crowded) "direct" bus rather than take the about to depart, but half empty "all stops" bus. The "direct" bus was usually also preferred to travelling to Brighton by train via the Arun Valley line / Littlehampton.

And were often told to do so by staff (though in my experience, it tended to be the other way round with the stopping buses full and direct ones empty, though that was term-time PM rather than rush hour evening).

NSE · 6 Jan 2024

RailWonderer said:
Having used Slough briefly a few years ago it always surprised me how passengers mostly rejected 4tph to London in 30 mins and crowded platform 3 for a much longer wait just to get there in 15 mins on an IC service where they would stand half the time.

Not surprised. I’ve been with non-railway mates who go ‘let’s take the one after it’s non stop’, and I chuckle inside because it’s going to arrive behind the first one because it can’t over take it.

sk688 · 8 Jan 2024

Easier to go Reading, then a semi-fast to Slough and from there Thames Valley route 5, Reading 703 or First Route A4 (from Langley as well) if the RailAir cost is off-putting.

Alternatively could go towards West Drayton on the EL and take a 350

Acton1991 · 8 Jan 2024

GWVillager said:
It is Elizabeth Line branded, after all.

Slough station is GWR managed and branded, as far as I am aware.

cactustwirly · 8 Jan 2024

sk688 said:
Easier to go Reading, then a semi-fast to Slough and from there Thames Valley route 5, Reading 703 or First Route A4 (from Langley as well) if the RailAir cost is off-putting.

Alternatively could go towards West Drayton on the EL and take a 350

Surely you'd get First bus 7?

Horizon22 · 8 Jan 2024

sk688 said:
Easier to go Reading, then a semi-fast to Slough and from there Thames Valley route 5, Reading 703 or First Route A4 (from Langley as well) if the RailAir cost is off-putting.

Alternatively could go towards West Drayton on the EL and take a 350

Just change at Hayes and Harlington. 15 minute journey. Then pick one of the 6tph to the airport.

Of course coming from further afield, on the Cotswold line is harder but something had to give and ultimately overall more passengers have benefitted. The Slough stop was something of hangover from a station that probably did deserve fast services, but was attached to a certain service group. Running the Didcot Parkway service as it previously was to Slough on Relief lines and then fast to Paddington via a crossover (utilising the now cancelled Bristol "superfasts") satisfies the majority of passengers best, keeps the notorious Main line platforms closed and allows for Elizabeth line traffic.

Acton1991 said:
Slough station is GWR managed and branded, as far as I am aware.

Indeed it is (as is Maidenhead and Twyford).

NSE said:
Not surprised. I’ve been with non-railway mates who go ‘let’s take the one after it’s non stop’, and I chuckle inside because it’s going to arrive behind the first one because it can’t over take it.

I've seen similar behaviour at other places with sporadic fast trains with a regular stopper service - Romford & Orpington (peak) spring to mind.

Benjwri · 9 Jan 2024

Hasn’t been mentioned yet but having fast trains stop at Slough was also significantly impacting reliability, which was becoming worse as the Slough fasts got more overcrowded, as everyone trying to squeeze on at times was causing extended dwells. When they didn’t make it in their exact path, and have only the scheduled dwell, which it was quite usual for them not to on the way to London, they would cause chaos with the train behind them, and then the Heathrow Express trains.

Acton1991 · 9 Jan 2024

Horizon22 said:
Indeed it is (as is Maidenhead and Twyford).

Follow up question - is there a reason Slough is still managed GWR? I would assume that the majority of services are now TfL run?

Benjwri · 9 Jan 2024

Acton1991 said:
Follow up question - is there a reason Slough is still managed GWR? I would assume that the majority of services are now TfL run?

Fairly even split of services, when you include the Windsor Shuttle, but GWR have kept management of all stations they still stop at. I assume TfL doesn't really want to manage them anyways, given it would just result in extra financial burden at no gain to them.

Horizon22 · 9 Jan 2024

Acton1991 said:
Follow up question - is there a reason Slough is still managed GWR? I would assume that the majority of services are now TfL run?

A couple of reasons a) it's still a major hub and recieves a regular (albeit minority) GWR service, b) the Windsor branch otherwise it would be a GWR "island".

Same applies for Twyford (Henley) and Maidenhead (Bourne End). West Ealing is an obvious outlier, but doesn't recieve any regular service on the GWML at all.

cb00 · 9 Jan 2024

Thanks all for the interesting replies. It was often the case on a service departing PAD during a weekday evening (pre-hybrid working) that if there was standing room only, you'd only have to wait until Slough until seats became available. Makes a bit more sense as to why it was removed from the IC services.

Having considered the options, Reading to Heathrow via EL seems the best one for me. A second option being the bus from Slough to the airport.

Mark J · 11 Jan 2024

LiftFan said:
This might be wrong, but I heard they stopped running on the fasts because too many people were using the platforms to end their lives at Slough station.

It is a big help though IMO for pathing- I often found the fasts from the B&H when running late would get stuck behind a Slough stopper and end up screeching to a halt quite abruptly.

There now appears to be metal fencing and gates on the fast line platforms at Slough.

Why has GWR removed Slough from Cotswold Line services to PAD?

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