On May 5, 11:48*pm, D DB 90001
wrote:
But this still wouldn't be an ideal outcome, Oxford already has fast
services calling at Reading and Slough only, and passengers for
intermediate stations would need to change at Reading, so you might as
well terminate the service at Reading, but this would reduce the tph
from Oxford to Paddington from 4 to 2.

No it wouldn't - there are already only 2tph from Oxford to Paddington
in any meaningful sense, as unless you're a great lover of spending
time on 16x-es instead of at your destination, waiting for the next
fast train is always the best option.[*]

Splitting the slow trains into a 2tph Oxford-Reading stopping shuttle
and a 2tph Reading-London extra Crossrail would only be a significant
inconvenience for passengers from stations west of Reading seeking
intermediate stations between Reading and Paddington (as if you want
to go from Goring to Paddington, you'll change onto a fast train at
Reading anyway).
[*] well, actually getting the next fast train to Reading, whether
it's XC or FGW, and then the next fast train to Paddington, whether
that involves changing or not, is the fastest option, but it only
saves you a few minutes compared with waiting for the direct fasts.

--
John Band
john at johnband dot org
www.johnband.org