Between January and June 1998, the Heathrow Express shuttle service was built to connect Paddington station to Heathrow Airport. A new spur was built from the existing Great Western Main Line to the airport, running mostly in tunnel.
In the period between January and June 1998, a high-speed rail connection was established between Paddington station and Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express shuttle service. This involved constructing a new branch line from the existing Great Western Main Line to the airport, largely underground.