Just done a return trip from Ealing Broadway to Hayes.
Local services, which seam to be all 5/6 carriages, are using platforms 1 and 2. and the long distance HSTs are using platforms 3 and 4. Trains terminate in platforms 2 and 4, then head east to Acton West and reverse back into the appropriate westbound platforms. Trains can also access Old Oak Common.
Passengers from the local services on platform 2 have to leave the platform by the new emergency footbridge at the London end of the platform, then walk back down platform 4 - this got very busy when I was there as all the passengers were at the back end of the train I arrived on, and then a HST arrived on platform 4 from the west.
Plenty of GWR staff in and outside the station. In fear of another Finsbury Park, I think they have worked this one out. Haven't seen any bad press.
As for ongoing work, the new crossover at Hayes is installed, although it looks as though it is clamped, OHL was present and there were a few orange men in the vicinity. Major work was taking place on the down relief platforms at Hayes and Southall. There were orange men at the new stabling sidings at West Ealing, they may be preparing to install the OHL as that appears all that is missing from there, although they could have been sorting out whatever sinalling is required.
On the question of electrification, are the Royal Oak sidings at Paddington to be electrified?
