File:Reading station - geograph.org.uk - 1152407.jpg

English: Reading station This photograph is one of a series depicting Reading station as it is in early 2009. Network Rail and Reading Borough Council have announced plans for a major redevelopment of the station and surrounding track network between 2010 and 2012 with the aim of tackling the bottlenecks of the area. The current station and junction capacities only allow for 30 trains per hour, whilst the surrounding rail network would otherwise accommodate 60 trains per hour. There will be significant changes to the station layout, including new platforms, and to the junctions, particularly Reading triangle to the west of the station.

Further information is available here http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/4664.aspx

This photo is taken from towards the east end of platform5 looking west. Platform 5 is the main platform for fast services from the West of England and South Wales to Paddington. It is normally the preserve of High Speed Trains (HSTs) such as the one just arriving here. To the left is platform 4, the equivalent platform for west bound services. In between is a bi-directional through road, sometimes used for freight services such as the Mendip to Acton quarry trains. It is also used for services that do not stop at Reading, although these are now very rare. To the left is platform 4A, one of two bay platforms used by services to Waterloo and Gatwick Airport. A First Great Western class 165 waits to depart on a Gatwick Airport service. Platforms 4A and 4B extend considerably further east than platform 4.