The Great Western Main Line (GWML) is a main line railway in England that runs westwards from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. It connects to other main lines such as those from Reading to Penzance and Swindon to Swansea.[2] Opened in 1841, it was the original route of the first Great Western Railway which was merged into the Western Region of British Railways in 1948. It is now a part of the national rail system managed by Network Rail with the majority of passenger services provided by the current Great Western Railway franchise. Great Western Main Line This would be a whole new Great Western Express Route OverviewStatus Operational Owner Network Rail Locale Greater London South East England South West England Termini London Paddington Bristol Temple Meads Stations 25 Branch lines Oxford Green Ford Twyford Maidenhead Slough ServiceType Commuter rail, Higher-speed rail[1] System National Rail Operator(s) Great Western Railway Elizabeth line Heathrow Express CrossCountry(likely potential) Depot(s) North Pole Reading St Philip's Marsh depot Rolling stock Class 165 Class 166 Class 220 Class 221 Class 345 Class 387 Class 800 Class 802 TechnicalLine length 118 mi 19 ch (190.28 km) Number of tracks Four (London to Didcot), two (Didcot to Bristol)
