National Rail › GWR

Great Western Railway

The operator of the Great Western main line from London Paddington, from Thames Valley commuter trains to Penzance, west Wales and the Cotswolds. It's run by FirstGroup and is due to pass into public ownership on 13 December 2026.

2006Running since
2,131 kmRoute km operated
244Stations served
93.7 millionJourneys a year, ORR (2025–26)

Facts

Running since
1 April 2006
London terminals
London Paddington
Type
Intercity, regional and suburban train operator
Depots
Reading, St Philip's Marsh (Bristol), Exeter, Laira (Plymouth), Long Rock (Penzance), North Pole (London) and Stoke Gifford (Bristol), run by Hitachi for the Class 800 and 802 trains
Main routes
Paddington to Bristol, Cardiff and Carmarthen; to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance; to Oxford, Worcester and Hereford; and to Gloucester and Cheltenham. Thames Valley suburban trains and branch lines; regional routes around Bristol, Devon and Cornwall; Reading to Gatwick Airport; and the Night Riviera sleeper to Penzance, hauled by Class 57 locomotives.
Stations managed
199
Operator
First Greater Western Ltd (FirstGroup), under a National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport. It passes to DfT Operator, in public ownership, on 13 December 2026.
Class 800, schematic side elevation, 2 cars
Class 800 · Hitachi Rail, Newton Aycliffe

Routes 41 routes · 244 stations

London Paddington – Penzance 57
London Paddington – Penzance: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Reading WestReading West ThealeTheale ThatchamThatcham Newbury RacecourseNewbury Racecourse NewburyNewbury KintburyKintbury HungerfordHungerford BedwynBedwyn PewseyPewsey TrowbridgeTrowbridge Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon Bath SpaBath Spa Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TotnesTotnes IvybridgeIvybridge PlymouthPlymouth DevonportDevonport Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) KeyhamKeyham St Budeaux Ferry RoadSt Budeaux Ferry Road SaltashSaltash St GermansSt Germans MenheniotMenheniot LiskeardLiskeard Bodmin ParkwayBodmin Parkway LostwithielLostwithiel ParPar St AustellSt Austell TruroTruro RedruthRedruth CamborneCamborne HayleHayle St ErthSt Erth PenzancePenzance
Penzance – Cardiff Central 49
Penzance – Cardiff Central: schematic, not to scale PenzancePenzance St ErthSt Erth HayleHayle CamborneCamborne RedruthRedruth TruroTruro St AustellSt Austell ParPar LostwithielLostwithiel Bodmin ParkwayBodmin Parkway LiskeardLiskeard MenheniotMenheniot St GermansSt Germans SaltashSaltash St Budeaux Ferry RoadSt Budeaux Ferry Road KeyhamKeyham Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) DevonportDevonport PlymouthPlymouth IvybridgeIvybridge TotnesTotnes Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TeignmouthTeignmouth DawlishDawlish Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren StarcrossStarcross Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway TauntonTaunton BridgwaterBridgwater Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Weston MiltonWeston Milton WorleWorle YattonYatton Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell Parson StreetParson Street BedminsterBedminster Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Ashley DownAshley Down Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood PatchwayPatchway PilningPilning Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Cardiff CentralCardiff Central
Penzance – Gloucester 48
Penzance – Gloucester: schematic, not to scale PenzancePenzance St ErthSt Erth HayleHayle CamborneCamborne RedruthRedruth TruroTruro St AustellSt Austell ParPar LostwithielLostwithiel Bodmin ParkwayBodmin Parkway LiskeardLiskeard MenheniotMenheniot St GermansSt Germans SaltashSaltash St Budeaux Ferry RoadSt Budeaux Ferry Road KeyhamKeyham Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) DevonportDevonport PlymouthPlymouth IvybridgeIvybridge TotnesTotnes Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TeignmouthTeignmouth DawlishDawlish Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren StarcrossStarcross Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway TauntonTaunton BridgwaterBridgwater Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Weston MiltonWeston Milton WorleWorle YattonYatton Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell Parson StreetParson Street BedminsterBedminster Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Ashley DownAshley Down Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway YateYate Cam & DursleyCam & Dursley GloucesterGloucester
Penzance – Bath Spa 41
Penzance – Bath Spa: schematic, not to scale PenzancePenzance St ErthSt Erth HayleHayle CamborneCamborne RedruthRedruth TruroTruro St AustellSt Austell ParPar LostwithielLostwithiel Bodmin ParkwayBodmin Parkway LiskeardLiskeard MenheniotMenheniot St GermansSt Germans SaltashSaltash St Budeaux Ferry RoadSt Budeaux Ferry Road KeyhamKeyham Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) DevonportDevonport PlymouthPlymouth IvybridgeIvybridge TotnesTotnes Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TeignmouthTeignmouth DawlishDawlish Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren StarcrossStarcross Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway TauntonTaunton BridgwaterBridgwater Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Weston MiltonWeston Milton WorleWorle YattonYatton Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell Parson StreetParson Street Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa
London Paddington – Hereford 40
London Paddington – Hereford: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Ealing Broadway — change for Central, District, Elizabeth lineEaling Broadway Southall — change for Elizabeth lineSouthall Hayes & Harlington — change for Elizabeth lineHayes & Harlington West Drayton — change for Elizabeth lineWest Drayton Iver — change for Elizabeth lineIver Langley — change for Elizabeth lineLangley Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Burnham — change for Elizabeth lineBurnham Taplow — change for Elizabeth lineTaplow Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading TilehurstTilehurst PangbournePangbourne Goring & StreatleyGoring & Streatley CholseyCholsey Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway ApplefordAppleford CulhamCulham RadleyRadley OxfordOxford HanboroughHanborough Combe (Oxon)Combe (Oxon) FinstockFinstock CharlburyCharlbury Ascott-under-WychwoodAscott-under-Wychwood ShiptonShipton KinghamKingham Moreton-in-MarshMoreton-in-Marsh HoneybourneHoneybourne EveshamEvesham PershorePershore Worcester Shrub HillWorcester Shrub Hill Worcester Foregate StreetWorcester Foregate Street Malvern LinkMalvern Link Great MalvernGreat Malvern ColwallColwall LedburyLedbury HerefordHereford
London Paddington – Paignton 39
London Paddington – Paignton: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Reading WestReading West ThealeTheale ThatchamThatcham Newbury RacecourseNewbury Racecourse NewburyNewbury KintburyKintbury HungerfordHungerford BedwynBedwyn PewseyPewsey TrowbridgeTrowbridge Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon Bath SpaBath Spa Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TorreTorre TorquayTorquay PaigntonPaignton
Cardiff Central – Exmouth 32
Cardiff Central – Exmouth: schematic, not to scale Cardiff CentralCardiff Central Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction PilningPilning PatchwayPatchway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Ashley DownAshley Down Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads BedminsterBedminster Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter CentralExeter Central St James Park (Devon)St James Park (Devon) Polsloe BridgePolsloe Bridge Digby & SowtonDigby & Sowton NewcourtNewcourt TopshamTopsham ExtonExton Lympstone CommandoLympstone Commando Lympstone VillageLympstone Village ExmouthExmouth
London Paddington – Plymouth 32
London Paddington – Plymouth: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway SwindonSwindon ChippenhamChippenham Bath SpaBath Spa Oldfield ParkOldfield Park KeynshamKeynsham Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads BedminsterBedminster Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TotnesTotnes PlymouthPlymouth
Cardiff Central – Paignton 31
Cardiff Central – Paignton: schematic, not to scale Cardiff CentralCardiff Central Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction PilningPilning PatchwayPatchway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Ashley DownAshley Down Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads BedminsterBedminster Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TorreTorre TorquayTorquay PaigntonPaignton
London Paddington – Carmarthen 28
London Paddington – Carmarthen: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Ealing Broadway — change for Central, District, Elizabeth lineEaling Broadway Hayes & Harlington — change for Elizabeth lineHayes & Harlington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway SwindonSwindon ChippenhamChippenham Bath SpaBath Spa Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Ashley DownAshley Down Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway PatchwayPatchway Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Cardiff CentralCardiff Central BridgendBridgend Port Talbot ParkwayPort Talbot Parkway NeathNeath SwanseaSwansea GowertonGowerton LlanelliLlanelli Pembrey & Burry PortPembrey & Burry Port KidwellyKidwelly FerrysideFerryside CarmarthenCarmarthen
London Paddington – Banbury 26
London Paddington – Banbury: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Ealing Broadway — change for Central, District, Elizabeth lineEaling Broadway Southall — change for Elizabeth lineSouthall Hayes & Harlington — change for Elizabeth lineHayes & Harlington West Drayton — change for Elizabeth lineWest Drayton Iver — change for Elizabeth lineIver Langley — change for Elizabeth lineLangley Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Burnham — change for Elizabeth lineBurnham Taplow — change for Elizabeth lineTaplow Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading TilehurstTilehurst PangbournePangbourne Goring & StreatleyGoring & Streatley CholseyCholsey Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway ApplefordAppleford CulhamCulham RadleyRadley OxfordOxford TackleyTackley HeyfordHeyford Kings SuttonKings Sutton BanburyBanbury
London Paddington – Frome 26
London Paddington – Frome: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Ealing Broadway — change for Central, District, Elizabeth lineEaling Broadway Southall — change for Elizabeth lineSouthall Hayes & Harlington — change for Elizabeth lineHayes & Harlington West Drayton — change for Elizabeth lineWest Drayton Iver — change for Elizabeth lineIver Langley — change for Elizabeth lineLangley Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Burnham — change for Elizabeth lineBurnham Taplow — change for Elizabeth lineTaplow Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Reading WestReading West ThealeTheale AldermastonAldermaston MidghamMidgham ThatchamThatcham Newbury RacecourseNewbury Racecourse NewburyNewbury KintburyKintbury HungerfordHungerford BedwynBedwyn PewseyPewsey Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts) FromeFrome
Severn Beach – Exeter St Davids 24
Severn Beach – Exeter St Davids: schematic, not to scale Severn BeachSevern Beach St Andrews RoadSt Andrews Road AvonmouthAvonmouth Portway Park & RidePortway Park & Ride ShirehamptonShirehampton Sea MillsSea Mills Clifton DownClifton Down RedlandRedland MontpelierMontpelier Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads BedminsterBedminster Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids
Barnstaple – Exmouth 23
Barnstaple – Exmouth: schematic, not to scale BarnstapleBarnstaple Chapelton (Devon)Chapelton (Devon) UmberleighUmberleigh Portsmouth ArmsPortsmouth Arms Kings NymptonKings Nympton EggesfordEggesford LapfordLapford Morchard RoadMorchard Road CopplestoneCopplestone YeofordYeoford CreditonCrediton Newton St CyresNewton St Cyres Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter CentralExeter Central St James Park (Devon)St James Park (Devon) Polsloe BridgePolsloe Bridge Digby & SowtonDigby & Sowton NewcourtNewcourt TopshamTopsham ExtonExton Lympstone CommandoLympstone Commando Lympstone VillageLympstone Village ExmouthExmouth
Severn Beach – Salisbury 23
Severn Beach – Salisbury: schematic, not to scale Severn BeachSevern Beach St Andrews RoadSt Andrews Road AvonmouthAvonmouth Portway Park & RidePortway Park & Ride ShirehamptonShirehampton Sea MillsSea Mills Clifton DownClifton Down RedlandRedland MontpelierMontpelier Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads KeynshamKeynsham Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa FreshfordFreshford AvoncliffAvoncliff Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon TrowbridgeTrowbridge Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts) Dilton MarshDilton Marsh WarminsterWarminster SalisburySalisbury
Barnstaple – Paignton 22
Barnstaple – Paignton: schematic, not to scale BarnstapleBarnstaple Chapelton (Devon)Chapelton (Devon) UmberleighUmberleigh Portsmouth ArmsPortsmouth Arms Kings NymptonKings Nympton EggesfordEggesford LapfordLapford Morchard RoadMorchard Road CopplestoneCopplestone YeofordYeoford CreditonCrediton Newton St CyresNewton St Cyres Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TorreTorre TorquayTorquay PaigntonPaignton
Reading – Gatwick Airport 22
Reading – Gatwick Airport: schematic, not to scale Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading EarleyEarley Winnersh TriangleWinnersh Triangle WinnershWinnersh WokinghamWokingham CrowthorneCrowthorne SandhurstSandhurst BlackwaterBlackwater Farnborough NorthFarnborough North North CampNorth Camp AshAsh WanboroughWanborough GuildfordGuildford Shalford (Surrey)Shalford (Surrey) ChilworthChilworth GomshallGomshall Dorking WestDorking West Dorking DeepdeneDorking Deepdene BetchworthBetchworth ReigateReigate RedhillRedhill Gatwick AirportGatwick Airport
Gloucester – Exeter St Davids 21
Gloucester – Exeter St Davids: schematic, not to scale GloucesterGloucester Cam & DursleyCam & Dursley YateYate Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Ashley DownAshley Down Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads BedminsterBedminster Parson StreetParson Street Nailsea & BackwellNailsea & Backwell YattonYatton WorleWorle Weston MiltonWeston Milton Weston-super-MareWeston-super-Mare Highbridge & Burnham-on-SeaHighbridge & Burnham-on-Sea BridgwaterBridgwater TauntonTaunton Tiverton ParkwayTiverton Parkway Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids
Severn Beach – Frome 21
Severn Beach – Frome: schematic, not to scale Severn BeachSevern Beach St Andrews RoadSt Andrews Road AvonmouthAvonmouth Portway Park & RidePortway Park & Ride ShirehamptonShirehampton Sea MillsSea Mills Clifton DownClifton Down RedlandRedland MontpelierMontpelier Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads KeynshamKeynsham Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa FreshfordFreshford AvoncliffAvoncliff Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon TrowbridgeTrowbridge Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts) FromeFrome
Barnstaple – Axminster 20
Barnstaple – Axminster: schematic, not to scale BarnstapleBarnstaple Chapelton (Devon)Chapelton (Devon) UmberleighUmberleigh Portsmouth ArmsPortsmouth Arms Kings NymptonKings Nympton EggesfordEggesford LapfordLapford Morchard RoadMorchard Road CopplestoneCopplestone YeofordYeoford CreditonCrediton Newton St CyresNewton St Cyres Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter CentralExeter Central St James Park (Devon)St James Park (Devon) PinhoePinhoe CranbrookCranbrook FenitonFeniton HonitonHoniton AxminsterAxminster
Exmouth – Paignton 20
Exmouth – Paignton: schematic, not to scale ExmouthExmouth Lympstone VillageLympstone Village Lympstone CommandoLympstone Commando ExtonExton TopshamTopsham NewcourtNewcourt Digby & SowtonDigby & Sowton Polsloe BridgePolsloe Bridge St James Park (Devon)St James Park (Devon) Exeter CentralExeter Central Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter St ThomasExeter St Thomas StarcrossStarcross Dawlish WarrenDawlish Warren DawlishDawlish TeignmouthTeignmouth Newton AbbotNewton Abbot TorreTorre TorquayTorquay PaigntonPaignton
Cardiff Central – Salisbury 19
Cardiff Central – Salisbury: schematic, not to scale Cardiff CentralCardiff Central Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction PatchwayPatchway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads KeynshamKeynsham Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa FreshfordFreshford AvoncliffAvoncliff Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon TrowbridgeTrowbridge Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts) Dilton MarshDilton Marsh WarminsterWarminster SalisburySalisbury
Newquay – Plymouth 18
Newquay – Plymouth: schematic, not to scale NewquayNewquay Quintrell DownsQuintrell Downs St Columb RoadSt Columb Road RocheRoche BugleBugle LuxulyanLuxulyan ParPar LostwithielLostwithiel Bodmin ParkwayBodmin Parkway LiskeardLiskeard MenheniotMenheniot St GermansSt Germans SaltashSaltash St Budeaux Ferry RoadSt Budeaux Ferry Road KeyhamKeyham Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) DevonportDevonport PlymouthPlymouth
Cardiff Central – Frome 17
Cardiff Central – Frome: schematic, not to scale Cardiff CentralCardiff Central Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Severn Tunnel JunctionSevern Tunnel Junction PatchwayPatchway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads KeynshamKeynsham Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa FreshfordFreshford AvoncliffAvoncliff Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon TrowbridgeTrowbridge Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts) FromeFrome
London Paddington – Worcester Foregate Street 15
London Paddington – Worcester Foregate Street: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway SwindonSwindon KembleKemble Stroud (Glos)Stroud (Glos) StonehouseStonehouse GloucesterGloucester Cheltenham SpaCheltenham Spa Ashchurch for TewkesburyAshchurch for Tewkesbury Worcester Shrub HillWorcester Shrub Hill Worcester Foregate StreetWorcester Foregate Street
Bristol Parkway – Westbury (Wilts) 13
Bristol Parkway – Westbury (Wilts): schematic, not to scale Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway Filton Abbey WoodFilton Abbey Wood Stapleton RoadStapleton Road Lawrence HillLawrence Hill Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads KeynshamKeynsham Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa FreshfordFreshford AvoncliffAvoncliff Bradford-on-AvonBradford-on-Avon TrowbridgeTrowbridge Westbury (Wilts)Westbury (Wilts)
Worcester Shrub Hill – Bristol Temple Meads 11
Worcester Shrub Hill – Bristol Temple Meads: schematic, not to scale Worcester Shrub HillWorcester Shrub Hill Ashchurch for TewkesburyAshchurch for Tewkesbury Cheltenham SpaCheltenham Spa GloucesterGloucester StonehouseStonehouse Stroud (Glos)Stroud (Glos) KembleKemble SwindonSwindon ChippenhamChippenham Bath SpaBath Spa Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads
London Paddington – Cardiff Central 10
London Paddington – Cardiff Central: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway SwindonSwindon Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway Newport (S Wales)Newport (S Wales) Cardiff CentralCardiff Central
Gunnislake – Plymouth 9
Gunnislake – Plymouth: schematic, not to scale GunnislakeGunnislake CalstockCalstock Bere AlstonBere Alston Bere FerrersBere Ferrers St Budeaux Victoria RoadSt Budeaux Victoria Road KeyhamKeyham Dockyard (Plymouth)Dockyard (Plymouth) DevonportDevonport PlymouthPlymouth
London Paddington – Gloucester 9
London Paddington – Gloucester: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Didcot ParkwayDidcot Parkway SwindonSwindon Bristol ParkwayBristol Parkway GloucesterGloucester
Falmouth Docks – Par 8
Falmouth Docks – Par: schematic, not to scale Falmouth DocksFalmouth Docks Falmouth TownFalmouth Town PenmerePenmere PenrynPenryn PerranwellPerranwell TruroTruro St AustellSt Austell ParPar
London Paddington – Greenford 8
London Paddington – Greenford: schematic, not to scale London Paddington — change for Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth lineLondon Paddington Acton Main Line — change for Elizabeth lineActon Main Line Ealing Broadway — change for Central, District, Elizabeth lineEaling Broadway West Ealing — change for Elizabeth lineWest Ealing Drayton GreenDrayton Green Castle Bar ParkCastle Bar Park South GreenfordSouth Greenford Greenford — change for CentralGreenford
Okehampton – St James Park (Devon) 7
Okehampton – St James Park (Devon): schematic, not to scale OkehamptonOkehampton Sampford CourtenaySampford Courtenay CreditonCrediton Newton St CyresNewton St Cyres Exeter St DavidsExeter St Davids Exeter CentralExeter Central St James Park (Devon)St James Park (Devon)
Liskeard – Looe 6
Liskeard – Looe: schematic, not to scale LiskeardLiskeard Coombe Junction Halt (Rail Station)Coombe Junction Halt (Rail Station) St Keyne Wishing Well Halt (Rail Station)St Keyne Wishing Well Halt (Rail Station) CauselandCauseland SandplaceSandplace LooeLooe
Bristol Temple Meads – Oxford 6
Bristol Temple Meads – Oxford: schematic, not to scale Bristol Temple MeadsBristol Temple Meads Oldfield ParkOldfield Park Bath SpaBath Spa ChippenhamChippenham SwindonSwindon OxfordOxford
St Ives (Cornwall) – Penzance 6
St Ives (Cornwall) – Penzance: schematic, not to scale St Ives (Cornwall)St Ives (Cornwall) Carbis BayCarbis Bay LelantLelant Lelant SaltingsLelant Saltings St ErthSt Erth PenzancePenzance
Reading – Basingstoke 5
Reading – Basingstoke: schematic, not to scale Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading Reading WestReading West MortimerMortimer Bramley (Hants)Bramley (Hants) BasingstokeBasingstoke
Henley-on-Thames – Maidenhead 5
Henley-on-Thames – Maidenhead: schematic, not to scale Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames ShiplakeShiplake WargraveWargrave Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead
Henley-on-Thames – Reading 5
Henley-on-Thames – Reading: schematic, not to scale Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames ShiplakeShiplake WargraveWargrave Twyford — change for Elizabeth lineTwyford Reading — change for Elizabeth lineReading
Marlow – Maidenhead 5
Marlow – Maidenhead: schematic, not to scale MarlowMarlow Bourne EndBourne End CookhamCookham Furze PlattFurze Platt Maidenhead — change for Elizabeth lineMaidenhead
Slough – Windsor & Eton Central 2
Slough – Windsor & Eton Central: schematic, not to scale Slough — change for Elizabeth lineSlough Windsor & Eton CentralWindsor & Eton Central

Schematic, not to scale. Ringed stations are interchanges. Each strip is one service route with its stops in order. Where fast and stopping trains share a route, the strip shows the one with most stops, and a route whose stops all lie on a longer one is left out. Station order from TfL open data.

StationZoneInterchanges
London Paddington1Bakerloo, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Elizabeth line
SloughElizabeth line
MaidenheadElizabeth line
TwyfordElizabeth line
ReadingElizabeth line
Reading West
Theale
Thatcham
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury
Kintbury
Hungerford
Bedwyn
Pewsey
Trowbridge
Bradford-on-Avon
Bath Spa
Oldfield Park
Bristol Temple Meads
Parson Street
Nailsea & Backwell
Yatton
Worle
Weston Milton
Weston-super-Mare
Highbridge & Burnham-on-Sea
Bridgwater
Taunton
Tiverton Parkway
Exeter St Davids
Exeter St Thomas
Starcross
Dawlish Warren
Dawlish
Teignmouth
Newton Abbot
Totnes
Ivybridge
Plymouth
Devonport
Dockyard (Plymouth)
Keyham
St Budeaux Ferry Road
Saltash
St Germans
Menheniot
Liskeard
Bodmin Parkway
Lostwithiel
Par
St Austell
Truro
Redruth
Camborne
Hayle
St Erth
Penzance
Bedminster
Lawrence Hill
Stapleton Road
Ashley Down
Filton Abbey Wood
Patchway
Pilning
Severn Tunnel Junction
Newport (S Wales)
Cardiff Central
Parson Street
Lawrence Hill
Bristol Parkway
Yate
Cam & Dursley
Gloucester
Ealing Broadway3Central, District, Elizabeth line
Southall4Elizabeth line
Hayes & Harlington5Elizabeth line
West Drayton6Elizabeth line
IverElizabeth line
LangleyElizabeth line
BurnhamElizabeth line
TaplowElizabeth line
Tilehurst
Pangbourne
Goring & Streatley
Cholsey
Didcot Parkway
Appleford
Culham
Radley
Oxford
Hanborough
Combe (Oxon)
Finstock
Charlbury
Ascott-under-Wychwood
Shipton
Kingham
Moreton-in-Marsh
Honeybourne
Evesham
Pershore
Worcester Shrub Hill
Worcester Foregate Street
Malvern Link
Great Malvern
Colwall
Ledbury
Hereford
Torre
Torquay
Paignton
Exeter Central
St James Park (Devon)
Polsloe Bridge
Digby & Sowton
Newcourt
Topsham
Exton
Lympstone Commando
Lympstone Village
Exmouth
Swindon
Chippenham
Keynsham
Bridgend
Port Talbot Parkway
Neath
Swansea
Gowerton
Llanelli
Pembrey & Burry Port
Kidwelly
Ferryside
Carmarthen
Tackley
Heyford
Kings Sutton
Banbury
Aldermaston
Midgham
Westbury (Wilts)
Frome
Severn Beach
St Andrews Road
Avonmouth
Portway Park & Ride
Shirehampton
Sea Mills
Clifton Down
Redland
Montpelier
Barnstaple
Chapelton (Devon)
Umberleigh
Portsmouth Arms
Kings Nympton
Eggesford
Lapford
Morchard Road
Copplestone
Yeoford
Crediton
Newton St Cyres
St Andrews Road
Freshford
Avoncliff
Dilton Marsh
Warminster
Salisbury
Earley
Winnersh Triangle
Winnersh
Wokingham
Crowthorne
Sandhurst
Blackwater
Farnborough North
North Camp
Ash
Wanborough
Guildford
Shalford (Surrey)
Chilworth
Gomshall
Dorking West
Dorking Deepdene
Betchworth
ReigateNA
Redhill
Gatwick Airport
Pinhoe
Cranbrook
Feniton
Honiton
Axminster
Newquay
Quintrell Downs
St Columb Road
Roche
Bugle
Luxulyan
Kemble
Stroud (Glos)
Stonehouse
Cheltenham Spa
Ashchurch for Tewkesbury
Gunnislake
Calstock
Bere Alston
Bere Ferrers
St Budeaux Victoria Road
Falmouth Docks
Falmouth Town
Penmere
Penryn
Perranwell
Acton Main Line3Elizabeth line
West Ealing3Elizabeth line
Drayton Green4
Castle Bar Park4
South Greenford4
Greenford4Central
Okehampton
Sampford Courtenay
Coombe Junction Halt (Rail Station)
St Keyne Wishing Well Halt (Rail Station)
Causeland
Sandplace
Looe
St Ives (Cornwall)
Carbis Bay
Lelant
Lelant Saltings
Mortimer
Bramley (Hants)
Basingstoke
Henley-on-Thames
Shiplake
Wargrave
Marlow
Bourne End
Cookham
Furze Platt
Windsor & Eton Central

Stations, zones and interchanges from TfL open data (2026-10-02). National Rail interchanges are listed where TfL groups the stations together.

Fleet

ClassUnitsFormation and notes
Class 8005736 five-car and 21 nine-car
Class 8023622 five-car and 14 nine-car
Class 387 Electrostar304-car (from ORR's vehicle count)
Class 165 Networker Turbo3620 two-car and 16 three-car (Class 165/1)
Class 166 Networker Express Turbo213-car
Class 150 Sprinter202-car (Class 150/2)
Class 158 Express Sprinter1813 two-car and 5 three-car
Class 175 Coradia15 of 262- and 3-car, still arriving from Transport for Wales
Class 2301battery train, unit 230001

History 11

  1. The first privatised Great Western franchise begins, run by Great Western Holdings.
  2. FirstGroup buys out its partners, and the trains become First Great Western.
  3. First's Greater Western franchise begins.
  4. First Great Western is renamed Great Western Railway.
  5. The first Class 800 Intercity Express Trains enter passenger service.
  6. Electric trains start running from Paddington to Didcot, using the Class 387s.
  7. A National Rail Contract replaces the franchise, with the government taking the revenue risk.
  8. The last Castle High Speed Trains run, from Plymouth to Penzance.
  9. The first Class 175 enters GWR passenger service.
  10. The Class 230 battery train starts carrying passengers between West Ealing and Greenford.
  11. Due to pass into public ownership, run by DfT Operator.

Sources 18

How we source figures →

unverified TfL's route data leaves out some GWR stations, such as Tenby, Pembroke Dock and the line south of Frome to Weymouth, so the station count and route strips are incomplete, franchise dates of 1996 and 1998 (Railnews; other accounts differ by weeks), fleets of the 150, 158, 165, 166 and 387 at GWR (Wikipedia, checked against ORR's vehicle totals)