Reading–Taunton line old Bristol and Exeter Railway. The Taunton and Bridgwater Canal runs alongside the railway. The line passes the site of Creech St Michael railway station and the junction of the former Chard Branch Line. Passenger services on the route are operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). These are principally Class 802s from London Paddington to Plymouth, or . There is also an overnight "Night Riviera" sleeper service. Some other services between these places are routed between Reading and Taunton along the Great Western Main Line to Bristol, and then on to the Bristol to Taunton Line, thereby missing this Reading
Reading–Taunton line to Taunton line entirely. A few services from London travel only part way along the line, terminating at Westbury or Frome. GWR also provide local services along parts of the line, between Reading and Bedwyn, and between Westbury and Castle Cary. The route is double-track throughout, with passing loops at certain locations. The highest line-speed on the route is . The route has a loading gauge clearance of W7 except Reading to Westbury and Taunton to Exeter, which are the larger W8, and is open to rolling stock up to Route Availability 8. Signalling requires four minutes between trains on