View source for Heathrow Connect

{{about|the former train operating company|the current train operating company run by Transport for London|Elizabeth line}}
{{short description|Former train service in London}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox rail company
| name           = Heathrow Connect
| image          = 360204 at Ealing Broadway.jpg
| image_size     = 300px
| caption        = [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360 ''Desiro'']] at {{stnlnk|Ealing Broadway}} in 2011
| franchise      = [[Open access operator]]<br />Not subject to [[Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain|franchising]]<br />12 June 2005 - 19 May 2018
| successor      = [[TfL Rail]]
| logo_filename  = HeathrowConnectVector.svg
| logo_size      = 
| nameforarea    = route
| regions        = [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]] – [[Heathrow Terminal 4 railway station|Heathrow Airport Terminal 4]]
| secregions     = 
| abbr           = HC
| fleet          = 5 [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360s]]
| stations       = 8
| parent_company = [[Heathrow Airport Holdings]]<br />[[First Great Western]]
| website        = 
}}

'''Heathrow Connect''' was a train service in London provided jointly by [[Heathrow Express]] and [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (GWR), between [[Paddington railway station|Paddington station]] and [[Heathrow Airport]]. The service followed the same route as the non-stop [[Heathrow Express]] service but called at certain intermediate stations, connecting several locations in West London with each other, the airport, and Central London. It ran every half-hour throughout the day and evening. The service was launched on 12 June 2005 and ceased on 19 May 2018, when it was absorbed into the [[TfL Rail]] concession, in advance of the service becoming operated by the [[Elizabeth line]] which opened on 24 May 2022.

==History==
In the late 1990s, [[British Airports Authority]] (BAA) built an [[airport rail link]] from [[Heathrow Airport]] to [[London Paddington station]]. This opened in June 1998, with non-stop [[Heathrow Express]] trains taking just 15{{nbsp}}minutes between Heathrow and Paddington.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=23 June 1998 |title=Heathrow Express takes off |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/118180.stm |url-status=live |access-date=6 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220201437/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/118180.stm |archive-date=20 December 2020}}</ref>

In 2004, [[First Great Western Link]] and BAA (the operators of Heathrow Express) planned a stopping service between Heathrow and Paddington, using train paths previously occupied by stopping services from [[Slough railway station|Slough]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=21 June 2005 |title=alwaystouchout.com - Heathrow Connect |url=http://www.alwaystouchout.com/project/67 |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=www.alwaystouchout.com |archive-date=7 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807224122/http://www.alwaystouchout.com/project/67 |url-status=dead }}</ref> BAA spent £35{{nbsp}}million on the project, including the purchase of five new [[Siemens Desiro]] [[British Rail Class 360|Class 360]] trains.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mistry |first=Ushma |date=16 November 2004 |title=Full steam ahead for Connect |url=https://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/547246.full-steam-ahead-for-connect/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Hillingdon Times |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2005, the ''Heathrow Connect'' branded stopping service between Heathrow and Paddington was launched.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=16 June 2005 |title=Heathrow rail connection gets boost |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/news/2005/06/16/heathrow-rail-connection-gets-boost/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Business Traveller |language=en-GB}}</ref> Although cheaper than Heathrow Express, the journey took around 25{{nbsp}}minutes from Paddington, and ran less frequently. One benefit of the new service was that residents of West London (including airport staff) could reach the airport without needing to backtrack via Paddington.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> Trains were owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings through Heathrow Express.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=24 June 2019 |title=Heathrow Connect close to takeoff |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/heathrow-connect-close-to-takeoff.html |url-status=dead |magazine=Railway Gazette |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624163616/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/heathrow-connect-close-to-takeoff.html |archive-date=24 June 2019 |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> 

From the opening of [[Heathrow Terminal 5]] in 2008, Heathrow Connect provided a shuttle service between Heathrow Central and Terminal 4 to connect with Heathrow Express.<ref name=":2" />

In May 2018, Heathrow Connect service were absorbed into [[TfL Rail]] ahead of the new [[Crossrail]] project.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/may/tfl-to-operate-heathrow-connect-services-ahead-of-elizabeth-line-opening |title=TfL to operate Heathrow Connect services ahead of Elizabeth line opening |website=Transport for London |access-date=9 March 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170053/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/may/tfl-to-operate-heathrow-connect-services-ahead-of-elizabeth-line-opening |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2022, TfL Rail services were rebranded as the [[Elizabeth line]], with through trains running through central London from November 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Caswell |first=Mark |date=26 August 2022 |title=Elizabeth Line to offer direct services from Heathrow to central London from November |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2022/08/26/elizabeth-line-to-offer-direct-services-from-heathrow-to-central-london-from-november/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Business Traveller |language=en-GB}}</ref> Heathrow Express services will continue to terminate at London Paddington.<ref name=":0" />

==Company==
===Structure===
Heathrow Connect had a complex operating structure: [[Heathrow Airport Holdings]] (formerly BAA) supplied the rolling stock and on-board staff through its [[Heathrow Express]] subsidiary, and owned the track from Airport Junction to the terminals. GWR collected the revenue for journeys between Paddington and [[Hayes & Harlington railway station|Hayes & Harlington]], while Heathrow Airport Holdings collected the revenue for journeys between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heathrow Connect close to takeoff |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/heathrow-connect-close-to-takeoff.html |website=Railway Gazette |publisher=Railway Gazette International |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624163616/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/heathrow-connect-close-to-takeoff.html |archive-date=24 June 2019 |location=Sutton |date=1 June 2004}}</ref>

===Fares===
Fares between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington were the same as for GWR services, but the single fare between Hayes and Heathrow was £6.30 {{as of|January 2018|lc=on}}. [[Oyster card]]s, [[Travelcard]]s and [[Freedom Pass]]es were not valid between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow, but could be used throughout the rest of the route. When the service was first introduced in 2005, the fare for the {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on}} journey from Hayes to Heathrow was £6, which at £2 per mile made it one of the most expensive train journeys in the world.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/jun/12/travelnews.observerescapesection1 |title=Heathrow ... at a price |date=12 June 2005 |access-date=26 October 2009 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227070036/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/jun/12/travelnews.observerescapesection1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The service was designed principally for the use of airport staff and West London residents for travel to Heathrow or Paddington. With a staff ID card, discounted fares were available for the journey between Hayes and Heathrow.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Heathrow Connect Airport Workers |url=http://www.heathrowconnect.com/default.aspx?pageid=59 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426055912/http://www.heathrowconnect.com/default.aspx?pageid=59 |archive-date=26 April 2008 |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Heathrow Connect}}</ref>

Heathrow Connect was marketed as a cheaper way to reach Paddington from Heathrow and vice versa, with a single fare of £10.30 (less than half the Heathrow Express fare, but almost double the price of a [[London Underground]] journey) and a journey time of 25{{nbsp}}minutes against the Express time of{{nbsp}}15 minutes. Passengers were also permitted to use their Railcards to access discounts. Originally it was not intended to be used as a cheaper (but slower) alternative to the Heathrow Express service from Paddington to Heathrow: every Connect service was overtaken by an Express service en route, and at Paddington trains were originally advertised on departure boards as running to Hayes & Harlington only. Standard-class travel between Heathrow Airport terminals was free, and this included Heathrow Connect services.

The current Elizabeth line service continues the fare structure of Heathrow Connect, being priced approximately halfway between that of the Underground and the Heathrow Express for a typical journey between central London and Heathrow.

==Operations==
===Route===
{{Heathrow rail services}}
Heathrow Connect used the relief lines of the [[Great Western Main Line]] between Paddington and Airport Junction, replacing some stopping services operated by [[First Great Western Link]]. As part of the original Heathrow Express project, these lines were [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrified]] at {{nowrap|[[25 kV AC]]}} overhead as a diversionary route, and featured [[Automatic Train Protection]]. An additional [[Overpass|flyover]] bridge was built in 2008 as part of [[Crossrail]] works to enable trains to enter or leave the airport spur without crossing any of the Great Western Main Line tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com/assets/library/document/g/original/g02heathrowaccessandstockleyflyover.pdf|title=Crossrail Airport Junction Information Paper|date=10 January 2008|access-date=1 January 2018|archive-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919171116/http://74f85f59f39b887b696f-ab656259048fb93837ecc0ecbcf0c557.r23.cf3.rackcdn.com/assets/library/document/g/original/g02heathrowaccessandstockleyflyover.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Services initially terminated at [[Heathrow Central railway station|Heathrow Central]]. Following Heathrow Express services being diverted to [[Heathrow Terminal 5 railway station|Terminal 5]], from March 2008 Heathrow Connect services were extended to [[Heathrow Terminal 4 railway station|Terminal 4]].<ref>[https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/baa-invests-in-rail-so-cars-dont-choke-airport-growth.html BAA invests in rail so cars don't choke airport growth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113075833/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/baa-invests-in-rail-so-cars-dont-choke-airport-growth.html |date=13 November 2018 }} ''Railway Gazette International'' April 2005</ref><ref>[https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/heathrow-express/ Heathrow Express] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815045612/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/heathrow-express/ |date=15 August 2018 }} Railway Technology</ref>

The service pattern, {{as of|2016|October|lc=y}}, was as follows:
* Monday-Saturday, Heathrow Connect services ran half-hourly between {{Stnlnk|Paddington}} and {{Stnlnk|Heathrow Central}} (for terminals 2 & 3), stopping at {{Stnlnk|Ealing Broadway}}, {{Stnlnk|West Ealing}}, {{Stnlnk|Hanwell}}, {{Stnlnk|Southall}} and {{Stnlnk|Hayes & Harlington}}. In early mornings and late evenings, some Heathrow Connect services were extended beyond Heathrow Central to either [[Heathrow Terminal 4 railway station|Terminal 4]] or [[Heathrow Terminal 5 station|Terminal 5]].<ref name=train_times>{{Cite web |url=https://www.heathrowconnect.com/train-times |title=Heathrow Connect - Train Times |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514134411/https://www.heathrowconnect.com/train-times |archive-date=14 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* On Sundays, all Heathrow Connect services were extended to Terminal 4, but did not call at West Ealing or Hanwell. Service frequency was also reduced from half-hourly to hourly.<ref name=train_times />

===Rolling stock===
Heathrow Connect used five-car {{brc|360||2}} [[electric multiple unit]]s. Four were built by [[Siemens Mobility]] in [[Krefeld]], Germany for [[Angel Trains]] as demonstrator [[Siemens Desiro|Desiros]]. One was brought to [[Northampton Kings Heath Siemens Depot]] in 2002 before [[South West Trains]]' [[British Rail Class 450|Class 450s]] were delivered. The others were used at the [[Wegberg-Wildenrath Test and Validation Centre|Wildenrath Test Centre]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Class 350s could be rebuilt | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=472 |date=15 October 2003|page=6}}</ref>

All four were purchased by Heathrow Connect and rebuilt before being sent to England.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= 360s to use old bodies | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=484 |date=31 March 2004|page=24}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Heathrow Connect plans revealed | magazine = [[Today's Railways UK|Entrain]] |issue=31 |date=July 2004|page=38}}</ref> A fifth five-car set was delivered in November 2005, but did not enter service until December 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Final Hex 360 arrives | magazine = [[Today's Railways UK]] |issue=50 |date=February 2006|page=57}}</ref> A fifth carriage was added to the original four four-car sets in 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Fifth coaches arrive for Hex 360s | magazine = [[Today's Railways UK]] |issue=62 |date=February 2007|page=62}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= New 360/2 Vehicles Arrive | magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue=559 |date=14 February 2007|page=55}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" |Class
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Type
! colspan="2" |Top speed
! rowspan="2" |Quantity
! rowspan="2" |Number
! rowspan="2" |Carriages
! rowspan="2" |Routes operated
! rowspan="2" |Built
|- style="background:#f9f9f9;"
!mph
!km/h
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[British Rail Class 360|360/2 ''Desiro'']]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Hugh llewelyn 360 201 (6341449982).jpg|120px]]
|[[Electric multiple unit|EMU]]
|100
|161
|5
|360201–360205
|5
|[[London Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] – [[Heathrow Terminal 4 railway station|Heathrow Terminal 4]]
|2004–2005
|-
| colspan="8" rowspan="1" | [[File:Heathrow Connect Class 360 2 w-pantograph.png|800px]]
|}

==Replacement by TfL Rail==
[[File:TFL Rail roundel.svg|thumb|TfL Rail Roundel]]
On 20 May 2018, TfL Rail took over the services operated by Heathrow Connect as a precursor to the full opening of the [[Elizabeth line]],<ref name="Elizabeth" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do/tfl-rail|title=TfL Rail|website=Transport for London|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802163417/https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do/tfl-rail|url-status=live}}</ref> which at that time was expected to take place in December 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-08-31 |title=Crossrail delay: New London line will open in autumn 2019 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-45367990 |access-date=2022-06-02}}</ref>

Fares on the service were integrated into the TfL fare scheme, and therefore matched the fare scheme of London Underground services,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elizabeth line fares announced|url=https://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/2018/03/elizabeth-line-fares-announced/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414092137/https://www.oyster-rail.org.uk/2018/03/elizabeth-line-fares-announced/|archive-date=14 April 2018|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> with the exception of a premium for single journeys to and from Heathrow using Pay As You Go (Oyster and contactless). Passengers are able to use Oyster cards, Travelcards and Freedom Passes to travel between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow.

TfL Rail had originally planned to replace the Class 360 units with [[British Rail Class 345|Class 345s]], but due to delays with the signalling system in the Heathrow Airport tunnels and late delivery of Class 345 units, a contingency plan was implemented. The Class 360s were used between London Paddington and Heathrow, supplemented by two Class 345 trains per hour running between London Paddington and the extended bay platform at Hayes & Harlington,<ref>[http://archive.nr.co.uk/browse%20documents/track%20access/1%20current%20consultations/2018-02-05-mtr%20corporation%20(crossrail)%20ltd-sa19-section22-closes%2006march%202018/mtr%20crossrail%209th%20supplemental%20form%20p%20industry%20consultation.pdf Crossrail Class 345 contingency application]{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> until enough Class 345s were delivered. The Class 360s were fully replaced in September 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Heathrow 360s Retired | magazine = [[Modern Railways]] |issue=865 |date=October 2020 |page=85}}</ref>

For the eventual opening of the core of the Elizabeth line in May 2022, the service was given Elizabeth line branding and train paths were extended via the new tunnels at Paddington through Central London, calling at stations such as Bond Street, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf to [[Abbey Wood railway station|Abbey Wood]]. The line has fully opened as of November 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Horgan |first=Rob |date=2022-11-06 |title=Crossrail {{!}} TfL begins direct through running Elizabeth line services |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/crossrail-tfl-begins-running-direct-through-running-elizabeth-line-services-06-11-2022/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}}</ref> Eastbound trains from Heathrow will terminate at [[Shenfield railway station|Shenfield]] or Abbey Wood.<ref name="Elizabeth">{{Cite web|url=https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/elizabeth-line|title=Elizabeth line|website=Transport for London|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218004814/https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/elizabeth-line|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commons category inline|Heathrow Connect}}
{{Portal bar|United Kingdom}}
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}}
{{FirstGroup}}
{{London Heathrow Airport}}

{{Airport rail links in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Airport rail links in London]]
[[Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Railway operators in London]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Ealing]]
[[Category:Transport in the London Borough of Hillingdon]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2005]]
[[Category:Railway services discontinued in 2018]]
[[Category:Transport at Heathrow Airport|Connect Heathrow Connect]]
[[Category:2005 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2018 disestablishments in England]]