Lets go back to railways – something I like to talk about on here occasionally. Today, we’re going to look at the trains that are going to be running on Crossrail/Elizabeth Line from 2017.
The trains themselves are built by Bombardier in Derby – and are designated as Class 345s.
Elizabeth Line/Crossrail Class 345 in the shed at Bombardier Derby – Image, Transport for London
Class 345 on the Bombardier Dynamic testing track – Image, Transport for London.
Here’s a video about them being assembled.
Why should you care? These are operating on the Crossrail route – and as such from 2019 will serve London Heathrow Airport (taking over from the existing Heathrow Connect service).
Trains are being introduced on the London Liverpool Street to Shenfield service from May 2017. They will initially operate as 7 car units, before being expanded to 9 car units when the full Crossrail service goes online in 2019.
When the full trains are introduced, the trains will be 200 metres long and able to carry 1,500 per unit.
As for the insides – they currently have test seating installed (note this is not the final seating or moquette to be used).
On board @Crossrail 345002. pic.twitter.com/utVqXIMjif
— Richard Clinnick (@Clinnick1) July 29, 2016
66 Class 345s will operate on the route between Reading in the west, through Maidenhead, the Heathrow branch joining at Hayes and Harlington, through Ealing Broadway, and through to the Crossrail core serving Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon-Barbican, Liverpool Street-Moorgate and Whitechapel, before splitting in two for the Abbey Wood branch (serving Canary Wharf) and Shenfield (serving Stratford) branch.
In theory – for the traveller coming into London – Crossrail will be a better thing to use than Heathrow Express – mainly as it will serve destinations in London people might actually want to get to (such as Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road – ideal for Central London) as opposed to Heathrow Express… which serves the West of London at Paddington.
For those heading to the City of London and onto Docklands, it should be provide a convenient one seat ride to Liverpool Street (gateway to the City of London) and Canary Wharf (where the big businesses loves to live).
For now, these units have to start the rigorous testing and acceptance process, before they are allowed out on the main line and finally into service.
And for those of us caught in the grip of Heathrow Expresses extortionate fares, the day these enter service, and connect Heathrow with Central London, the City of London and East London – that day cannot come soon enough.
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