I travelled a weekend in the summer in First, the number people who held standard class tickets sitting in First was quite a few.

And because the off-peak they're packed, especially the 18:06, very very busy.

then 90% of the commuters get off at Twyford

go and twitter and ask @FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - they're pretty good as responding

rolling on this morning - Reading to Westbury line - overrun engineering works first train out of Theale was the 08:16

HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) Failed at Reading after a long crawl through the Kennet valley - I assuming the power units failed.

Thinking back, good on the driver to get the thing to Reading - could have been worse - we could have been stuck between stations.

Caused a few delays though as it'd blocked platform 8.

received this on twitter earlier this morning

"@NRE_FirstGW: 20 minute delays to First Great Western trains through #Reading due to a trains leaving the depot late #fb"

Checks lasted one day - day after all barriers were cleared

17:07 - I was sat on the 17:06 when they made the announcement we were held due to person under train, nothing was leaving
17:25 - I got off and decided to go back to work and do a couple of hours
18:30 - I got a text saying 2 of 4 lines were reopened, decided to sit it out as Paddington would be crowded
19:35 - I then left work at 19:35, missed the delayed 19:35 instead got the 20:00 , arrived Reading at 20:45, a lady on the platform was being seen to by staff, looks like she had passed out on a train
20:50 - boarded the 20:41 (which was held to let the 2 Plymouth fast trains through) which left Reading at 21:05, home at 21:20

I didn't hang around Paddington when it was announced but I heard some people having a go at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff which I think is uncalled for it was not their fault

A person has been hit by a train between Hayes & Harlington and West Drayton.
Because of this, the following alterations will apply until approximately 22:00:
Trains between London Paddington and Reading are being delayed by up to 90 minutes
Services to and from Heathrow Airport are currently suspended
Trains are currently unable to call at Hayes & Harlington

2 Lines reopened around 18:35

nice to see FGW^▸ (First Great Western) doing ticket checks on Platform 8/9 this morning. They've setup barriers to channel people towards ticket checkers.

Good flow of people and no major hold-ups, amazing to see the number of people without tickets.

reported as the 12:18 Paddington to Taunton service

I noticed either the new track or old track was in between the existing rails along the length of Theale.

Never seen this before but at Theale there was a Revenue Protection guy checking tickets - before he saw me I could see him counting a wad of notes!

Soon I may have to relinquish my Gold Card due to circumstance change in my job. I've not utilised my Network Railcard purchase, so could I buy one in my own name before cashing in my Gold Card?

I've heard that Tilehurst Cycle racks/parking are to be removed and a cafe put it there place.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have said that cyclists will not loose out on the parking .. i assume new racks elsewhere in the station complex?