Sonning Cutting

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File:Sonning cut.jpg

File:Sonning cutting map.jpg

Sonning Cutting is on the original Great Western Railway built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.[http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/radstock/rht/themes/transport/gwr1.html Building the Great Western Railway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101015021631/http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/radstock/rht/themes/transport/gwr1.html |date=15 October 2010 }}, [http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/radstock/rht/ Reading History Trail] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220081024/http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/radstock/rht/ |date=20 February 2006 }}, United Kingdom. It is to the east of Reading station and to the west of Twyford station near the village of Sonning in Berkshire, England. Originally planned to route around the north of Sonning Hill past the village, the railway instead bypasses the village due to local objections. The resulting route follows a cutting over {{convert|1|mi|adj=on}} and up to {{convert|60|ft}} deep, through the hill, giving a more direct route between Twyford and Reading.[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/3374.aspx Sonning Cutting], [http://www.networkrail.co.uk Network Rail], United Kingdom.

The cutting was hand-dug without machinery and the spoil removed in wheelbarrows and horse-drawn carts. It took two years to complete and there were several casualties in the process. The line was opened on 30 March 1840.

After the ending of the broad gauge in 1892, the railway was widened to four tracks. This involved a major rebuilding of the cutting, during which the slope of the sides was reduced.