Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway operates every long-distance train out of London Paddington — Brunel's historic terminus — running west to Reading, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth and Penzance using the Class 800 Intercity Express fleet.
About Great Western Railway
GWR runs the routes pioneered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1838. The flagship Paddington–Bristol service now uses electric Class 800/802 IETs at up to 125 mph on the recently electrified main line.
Paddington is also the London terminus of the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line, making it the only London station with direct rail to all five Heathrow terminals.
GWR also runs the famous Night Riviera sleeper from Paddington to Cornwall — one of only two surviving overnight rail services in the UK.
Key Great Western Railway routes
- Paddington → Bristol Temple MeadsUp to 125 mph IET — 1h 20m fastest
- Paddington → Cardiff Centralvia Swindon, Bristol Parkway — 1h 50m
- Paddington → PenzanceCornish Riviera Express, 5h 10m
- Paddington → OxfordThames Valley fast line, 51 min
Major destinations
- Reading
- Oxford
- Bristol Temple Meads
- Cardiff Central
- Swansea
- Bath Spa
- Cheltenham Spa
- Penzance
- Plymouth
FAQs about Great Western Railway
Does GWR go to Heathrow?
GWR itself doesn't serve Heathrow. From Paddington you can take the Heathrow Express (15 min) or the Elizabeth line (~30 min) to all Heathrow terminals.
What is the Night Riviera?
GWR's overnight sleeper train from London Paddington to Penzance via Plymouth, Truro and St Austell. It runs every night except Saturdays and offers sleeper cabins with breakfast.
How fast is the GWR Intercity Express?
Class 800/802 IETs run at up to 125 mph on the electrified Great Western Main Line — the fastest scheduled service is Paddington–Bristol Parkway in 1h 8m.