AN electric train has been driven on the Great Western mainline at up to 125mph in a series of exercises designed to test the overhead electric power system.

The Hitachi Rail-built intercity express train was driven from Reading to Didcot on Saturday and Sunday mornings between the stations.

Network Rail, which is electrifying the entire line between London Paddington and Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford and Newbury, managed the tests while the train was supplied by Agility Trains and Hitachi Rail Europe.

The electrification between Reading and Didcot has been completed first to enable it to serve as a testing ground for the power systems and the trains themselves.

"This is a great step forward, and I’d like to pay tribute to the team who have worked very hard to make this happen, " said Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Western.

"This is the future of rail being built before our eyes and it’s a very exciting time to be involved in this project.

"This weekend we’ve come a big step closer to providing faster, quieter, and more efficient services to the people of the region who depend on railways.

Testing will now continue as construction proceeds with public services scheduled to begin from 2019.

Work has been taking place at Broad Town Road in Royal Wootton Bassett as well as elsewhere installing the foundations for the overhead electrification equipment that is essential to power the new electric trains.