"CJB" wrote

How are folks intending that Crossrail services and all the various
extensions to the route suggested above be pathed into the FGW
mainline between Maidenhead and Paddington? Right now the mainline is
full. HEX comes off the Airport Branch into the paths of FGW HST
services. Connect is even more conflicting in that it has to cross the
main lines to obtain access to the local lines. Connect has taken over
the local stopping services from FGW Link/ex-Thames Trains. But even
now - as they did this afternoon - if there are any problems and
Connect loses its path then they simply cancel the service or
terminate it at Hayes & Harlington - great service NOT for Airport
passengers. The BAA (and FGW) who 'own' Connnect cannot even run a
simple out and back service. The FGW main line is FULL. So how are
they going to fit in extra services for Crossrail? If Crossrail takes
over the local service functions then there may be paths - but
remember part of Crossrail will come out of the Airport. It is Airport
Junction that's a major problem. Also the fact that there will not be
a local service out of Reading towards Paddington 'cos Crossrail will
not serve Reading. The whole of the FGW line is a mess. FGW has more
complaints than any other trainco. And BAA can't run a decent train
service - HEX or Connect - period. CJB.

This sub-thread had drifted on to the NLL - I don't think anyone suggested
any through running between the NLL and Crossrail (though I could make a
case for Barking to Gospel Oak trains being extended to Willesden Junction,
Ealing Broadway (via Acton Wells) and Greenford). However, to answer the
points you make, Crossrail would provide a grade-separated junction west of
Acton Main Line for freight to join the Relief Lines. Greenford being served
by a shuttle service from its own platform at West Ealing, extra tracks and
flyovers at Hayes/Airport Junction, and an extra reversible track much of
the way between Hayes and Langley. The current plans do include a 2tph local
service between Paddington and Reading, and additional local trains between
Slough and Reading, though it is somewhere between possible and likely that
Crossrail will be extended to Reading, with the investment approved as part
of Reading rebuilding and/or GWML electrification, rather than as part of
the Crossrail project.

Peter