Originally Posted by
johnnie69
Heathrow Connect is not running today or tomorrow, engineering works.
No, it's affected by the strike too - see
their website - note that Heathrow Connect is actually run by the same people as the HEx, that is the functionally named
"Heathrow Express Operating Company Ltd", itself a BAA subsidiary.
(It's a bit complicated, but basically they have an arrangement with the First Great Western train company to provide a portion of the local services on the line from Paddington to Hayes & Harlington - an arrangement that would be transferred to any future franchisee which might take over from FGW.)
It's my preferred route (I live near Ealing Broadway), it's a bit slower but comfortable enough apart from the incessant pre recorded announcement every 90 seconds (I counted 
)
Yes, the announcement overload on those trains is ridiculous!