Transport for London (TfL) has shown off the latest images of designs for the new Crossrail trains. The new trains are being built by Bombardier Transportation’s UK factory in Derby, and each train will provide space for 1,500 customers in nine fully-interconnected, walk-through carriages.
The trains will regenerate electricity back into the power supply when braking to use up to 30 per cent less energy, as well as delivering faster journey times than the old trains they will replace between Liverpool Street and Shenfield.
Large, clear areas around the doors will allow quicker and easier boarding and alighting. A mixture of metro-style and bay seating will be available through the train. The trains will be driver-operated with on-train customer information systems delivering real-time travel information, allowing customers to plan their onward journeys whilst onboard.
There will also be a free Wi-Fi service inside the trains.
The interior design and colour palette includes darker floors and natural finish materials that will wear in, and not wear out, ensuring they retain their feel for years to come. The light coloured ceilings are also designed to maximise the feeling of height and openness inside the new trains. The material and colour choices also align with Elizabeth line stations for a consistent customer experience.
There will be four dedicated wheelchair spaces on each train. In addition, there will be a number of multi-use spaces available, where seating can be tipped up to accommodate prams or luggage.
TfL and train manufacturer Bombardier have worked on the designs of the new trains with Barber & Osgerby acting as design advisors on the project.
Ahead of delivery, the trains will be subjected to a testing regime and will also be tested on a dedicated test track in Melton Mowbray.
The first trains to be delivered will operate on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield part of the Crossrail route from May 2017. Initially, they will use shorter seven-carriage versions of the new trains. All subsequent trains will be the full-length nine carriage version, to be first introduced between Heathrow and Paddington from May 2018. All the trains will be converted to nine carriages by the end of 2019.
The end result will be trains that at 200 metres in length are over one and a half times longer than the longest Tube train.
And here’s a video:
“customers”
What happened to “Passengers” then?
Never understood the pedants whining about this. “Customers” suggests you’ve paid money and deserve something in return. “Passenger” labels you as cattle to be shifted from place to place.
I guess some people prefer to be cattle.
We-e-ell…it looks a bit better than the Overground trains, with their dismal colour scheme of orange, pale grey, and beige, and windows horizontally bisected just where one’s line of vision is. Not inspired, though, is it?
Also, when I’m on a train I want to look out, not sit facing the passengers opposite. I hate seats lined up with the sides of the train.