23.06.17
First Elizabeth Line train enters service in east London and Essex
Passengers in east-London and Essex were yesterday able to travel on the new state-of-the-art Elizabeth Line rolling stock for the first time.
After extensive testing and preparation, and the launch of the trains being pushed back by TfL, the train, part of TfL’s 66-strong Crossrail fleet that will operate on the new line, is now running on passenger services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield.
By Autumn, 11 trains will run on the route, which will initially be made up of seven carriages and be 160m in length. This will then be extended to nine carriages with a full length of 200m that can carry up to 1,500 passengers.
The new rolling stock boasts a number of modern features, including air conditioning, walkthrough carriages, intelligent lighting and temperature control, as well as lightweight materials and regenerative braking that will use up to 30% less energy than older trains.
The trains will eventually run along the Elizabeth Line through central London when it is fully opened after new rail tunnels are completed in December 2018.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he was delighted that the first state-of-the-art Elizabeth line train had entered service on the TfL Rail service.
“It gives Londoners a first look at a new service that will transform travel across London and the south east when the line opens,” he said. “The Crossrail programme remains on time and on budget, and the huge success of this project shows how vital it is for the whole of the country that we also push ahead with Crossrail 2.”
And Mike Brown MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, called it an important day for rail travel and for the millions of passengers who will use the Elizabeth Line when services start in December next year.
“The introduction of this first train gives customers a feel for the huge improvements that are to come when the Elizabeth line opens,” he added.
Rail minister Paul Maynard said: “We are delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century and these new trains will transform the way people travel across London and beyond.
“This investment reflects our commitment, and that of train operators, to put passengers at the heart of everything we do and will improve journeys and target congestion.”
Finally, Joe Bednall, Bombardier’s project director, added that the team at Bombardier were proud to has been involved “from the design stage to the building and testing of a train as technically advanced, within record timescales”.
"It is a truly magnificent achievement for UK engineering, our world class manufacturing and assembly facility in Derby as well as our supply chain,” concluded Bednall.
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