Heathrow Connect facts for kids

Heathrow Connect was a special train service in London. It helped people travel between Heathrow Airport and Paddington station in Central London. This service was a team effort between two other train companies: Heathrow Express and First Great Western.
What Was Heathrow Connect?
Heathrow Connect was a type of train operating company. This means it was a business that ran passenger trains on a specific route. Its main job was to connect Heathrow Airport with different places in west London and the city centre.
How the Service Worked
The Heathrow Connect trains used the same railway tracks as the faster Heathrow Express service. However, there was a big difference! While Heathrow Express trains went straight to the airport without stopping, Heathrow Connect trains made several stops along the way.
These stops were at stations in west London. This meant people living in those areas could easily get to the airport or travel into Central London. It also helped people travel between different parts of west London.
Train Schedule
Heathrow Connect trains ran quite often. A train would leave every half-hour, all day long and into the evening. This made it a convenient way for many people to travel.
When Did It Operate?
The Heathrow Connect service started in 2005. It ran for many years, helping thousands of passengers. However, the service was eventually stopped in 2018. Its role was then taken over by other train services.