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First wires erected on Great Western

Network Rail installed the first mile of overhead wires on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) electrification project on November 12.

The wires were installed between Pangbourne and Tilehurst (west of Reading), making this the first section of electrified track on the GWML west of Airport Junction in London.

The first 1,000 metres of wires were installed in 35 minutes, according to NR, and will form part of the route used to test the Hitachi Class 800 trains being built for Great Western Railway.

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  • hugo - 17/11/2015 14:00

    why have you not started wiring from airport junction that i thought would be logical.

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    • James - 17/11/2015 21:37

      Because the wires at Airport junction are apparently also going to be upgraded. But like you say I can't see why they don't just get on with it.

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  • Tony - 17/11/2015 17:48

    Good news that the wiring has started. The start of wiring should begin somewhere less difficult - not at a junction where other work is proceeding.

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  • Andrew Smithers - 18/11/2015 12:38

    I think this is the stretch of line where neighbours have complained about the impact of the over-large gantries.

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