Heathrow Express
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Franchise(s) | Not subject to franchising service began 23 June 1998 |
| Main route(s) | London Paddington – Heathrow Airport |
| Other route(s) | None |
| Fleet size | |
| Stations called at | 4 |
| Stations operated | 3 |
| National Rail abbreviation | HX |
| Parent company | Heathrow Airport Holdings |
| Website | www.heathrowexpress.com |
Heathrow Express is an airport rail link between London Heathrow Airport and Paddington. It opened in 1998 and is operated by the Heathrow Express Operating Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Heathrow Airport Holdings. It is an open access operator and not subject to franchising.
Heathrow Express was planned as a joint venture between BAA and British Rail, but was taken over fully by the former following the railways being privatised.
Construction began in 1993. The principal works were two 5-mile single-bore tunnels (including eight escape shafts) and underground stations at Heathrow Central and Terminal 4. Electrification of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) between Paddington and Airport Junction, where the new line diverged from the GWML, was also required. A flying junction known as Stockley Flyover was constructed to connect the tunnel to the GWML fast lines.
Beginning in January 1998, an interim service called Heathrow FastTrain ran to a temporary station called Heathrow Junction, where a coach took passengers the rest of the way. The full service began on 23 June 1998, with four trains per hour running in each direction, operated using Siemens Class 332 electric multiple units.
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