The first of ten new Elizabeth line trains has left Alstom’s production line in Derby, marking a major milestone in the expansion of the UK’s busiest railway service.
The new Aventra Class 345 train is now undergoing final checks on Alstom’s on‑site test track at its historic Litchurch Lane factory. It will soon move to a programme of trials on the national rail network near London and on the Elizabeth line itself, ahead of entering passenger service later this year.
The rollout coincides with the Elizabeth line’s four‑year anniversary. Since opening in May 2022, the line has carried more than 850 million passenger journeys, cementing its status as the single busiest railway service in the UK.
Once all ten new trains are delivered, the Elizabeth line’s fleet will stretch to almost ten miles in total length, offering capacity for around 120,000 passengers at any one time — more than London’s Wembley Stadium.
Government‑funded capacity boost ahead of HS2 integration
The additional trains are being delivered with Government funding to meet rapidly growing demand and to support future services to HS2’s Old Oak Common station.
Manufacture is taking place at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, a site that has been central to Britain’s rail industry since 1839. Opened in 1876, it is now the UK’s only remaining facility capable of designing, engineering, manufacturing and testing trains from scratch.
The programme highlights how investment in London’s transport network delivers nationwide economic benefits. Alstom’s supply chain for the Elizabeth line supports almost 40 UK companies and more than 1,000 jobs.
Each nine‑car train contains:
- Five miles of welding
- 50 miles of cabling
- Over 47,700 screws and 31,700 bolts
Manufacture, testing and introduction into service will continue throughout this year and into next.
Elizabeth line continues to drive economic growth
New data from Excel London demonstrates the wider economic impact of the Elizabeth line, particularly for business tourism. Nearly half (49 per cent) of visitors now arrive via nearby Custom House station, benefiting from fast, direct connections to Heathrow and across the capital.
Since the line opened, visitor numbers to Excel London have increased by almost 20 per cent, with guests staying longer to network and conduct business — reinforcing the case for additional train capacity.
Industry leaders respond
Trish Ashton, Director of Rail at TfL, said:
“More than 850 million customer journeys have now been made on the Elizabeth line, and it’s fantastic to see the first of the ten new trains leaving the factory. This is an important milestone in our journey towards increasing capacity on the line, meeting the growing demand for increased connectivity that we deliver for hundreds of thousands of customers every day.”
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said:
“The Elizabeth line is a perfect example of how quality transport infrastructure can unlock opportunities for the people and places it connects, with this vital work in Derby showing how investing in the capital doesn't just benefit Londoners but drives wider economic growth across the country.
“As these fantastic new trains leave the factory to help meet growing demand on the line, the Mayor and I are excited to continue working hand in hand with TfL and the Government to unleash the full potential of our transport network, as we continue building a more prosperous London for everyone.”
Andy Butters, Managing Director of Derby Litchurch Lane Works, said:
“Seeing the first of our new Elizabeth line Aventra trains roll off the production line in Derby is a proud moment for everyone at Litchurch Lane. This milestone reflects the skill, dedication and craftsmanship of our teams, who are proudly building additional trains for one of the UK’s most successful railway services.
“These new trains will help meet growing demand on the Elizabeth line while supporting highly skilled jobs in Derby and our nationwide supply chain. It’s a powerful example of how investment in London’s transport network delivers real economic benefits across the UK, with Derby continuing to play a central role in Britain’s rail industry – as it has done since 1839.”
Jeremy Rees, CEO of Excel London, said:
“Without doubt, the Elizabeth line has been transformational for the events industry, removing the friction of travel across the city and reviving London’s business tourism economy. From our own independent research, we have seen a 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers to Excel London as a direct result of the Elizabeth line and leading to record-breaking attendances for many of our flagship trade shows.
“The most significant change though has been the increase in visitor durations - now an average of 7.5 hours – driven by faster journey times encouraging guests to stay longer, network more extensively, and conduct additional business.”
Image credits: Alstom
