Main Line
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Overview
The Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads via Reading, Swindon and Bath, and then continued to Penzance via Exeter and Plymouth.
The line from Paddington to Bristol was the first to be built in the construction of the GWR, between 1838 and 1840.
Originally laid in Broad Gauge (7 ft 1/4 in (2140mm)), a third rail was laid for (now) "standard" (then "narrow") gauge (4ft 8 1/2 in)operation between 1854 and 1875. Broad gauge operation ceased in 1892.
Between 1877 and 1899 the two-track railway between Paddington and Didcot was increased to four-tracks.
The line speed has been incrementaly increased on many occasions, up to its current maximum (125mph) in the 1970s, with the introduction of InterCity High Speed Trains.
The line is electrified between London Paddington and Airport Junction (and thence to Heathrow) for the use of Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect Trains. The line is current in the process of having OHLE fitted throughout which will come into use in 2016/17.
The route will also be one of the first UK main lines to be fitted with ERTMS, initally as an overlay system to replace the functionality of ATP.
Swindon Panel Area
Swindon Panel initally controlled the GW Main Line from Challow (approx 63mp) and fringed there to Reading Panel. When Swindon B opened in 1994 it took control of Challow to Uffington (excl) from Swindon Panel, and since then Swindon has controlled from just east of Uffington (approx 66mp).
In the west the route is controlled by Swindon Panel as far as Corsham, between Thingley Junction and Box Tunnel.
Locations controlled