Crossrail

Crossrail minister rides train as electrification and testing milestones passed

Crossrail minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon rode the train for the first time on a visit to the Derby testing facility, previously visited by RTM when the first train was unveiled.

The new cross-London rail link passed fresh milestones as the first stretch of the route was electrified, while the first trains moved from Derby to London for testing.

The trains will undergo further test runs on the Shenfield to Liverpool Street line before entering initial passenger operations from May 2017.

Lord Ahmad said: “The new Elizabeth line trains are a great showcase of British design and manufacturing and I am delighted to take my first ride on the trains that will be running on part of the network from May next year.”

The minister also saw the Class 345 trains being produced and met Bombardier apprentices at the test facility in Derby.

Meanwhile, Crossrail confirmed that electricity is now running on two miles of a 12 mile stretch between Maidenhead and Heathrow junction. Over 80% of the wiring programme has now been completed, with 800 workers installing over 1,400 piled foundations and 834 overhead line structures.

Matthew Steele, Network Rail project director, said: “This is a key milestone towards the introduction of brand new, cleaner, quieter electric trains on this very busy route into London.

“This electrification not only enables the introduction of the Elizabeth Line but also supports the introduction of new GWR trains in 2017. I would like to thank the local residents and businesses for their patience as we undertake this sometimes noisy construction works.”

From summer 2017, electrified Great Western Railway services will be extended from Hayes & Harlington to Maidenhead.

Matthew White, Crossrail’s surface director, added that once the line opens fully, passengers will be able to travel through the capital without changing at Paddington – “making it quicker and easier to get to a range of destinations across London and the south east”.

The DfT released a video of Lord Ahmad’s visit and 360-degree footage of the Crossrail testing facility, showing the exterior and interior of the trains.

In September, London mayor Sadiq Khan rode on Crossrail to celebrate the line reaching 75% completion.

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