Operation
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The service uses the Relief Lines of the Great Western Main Line between Airport Junction and Paddington, replacing some stopping services operated by the former First Great Western Link. These lines were electrified as part of the original Heathrow Express project as a diversionary route. The lines are electrified at 25 kV AC overhead and feature Automatic Train Protection.
To access the airport spur without crossing the Main Lines, trains in both directions use the flyover track originally built for Heathrow Express trains heading towards Paddington. This arrangement means Heathrow Connect trains to the airport use the flyover in the opposite direction to normal operation, and trains from Heathrow must cross both slow lines on the flat. As part of Crossrail works, the flyover will be rebuilt to overcome these limitations.
Heathrow Connect services run from London Paddington to Heathrow Central for Terminals 1, 2 & 3 every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday. A dedicated Heathrow Express unit now provides a shuttle service between Terminal 4 and Heathrow Central, thereby maintaining a 15-minute frequency between the terminals. This service may be used free of charge by passengers changing terminals at Heathrow.
Heathrow Connect will be absorbed into the Crossrail service when it starts in 2019. Crossrail will extend current train paths through a central London tunnel as services to Shenfield and Abbey Wood.
Read more about this topic: Heathrow Connect
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