There’s a chance to visit the next in the series of tours that Crossrail are running of their stations over the next few months. This time it’s Custom House next to the DLR in East London. One of the new above ground stations, it’s notable for the pre-fab construction method that was used to build the station.
The site of the new Elizabeth line station at Custom House, constrained by the existing DLR line and power cables passing overhead, residential properties to the north and ExCel London to the south, required a unique solution.
It was crucial that the station integrated well within the existing infrastructure and wider urban surroundings. To achieve this, a freestanding building with an elevated concourse above it was designed using thousands of pre-cast concrete segments.
It’s also one of the first stations to have the new Elizabeth line roundel installed.
Just a few places are left for tours at 5pm and 5:30pm on Friday 23rd March.
To register for a tour, go here – select a time from the “select date” drop down list.
Most of the places were snapped up by people on the Crossrail tours mailing list, which I mentioned a few weeks ago.
To get on the early-bird mailing list, register your details here.
These tours are also part of the Year of Engineering, a year long campaign which celebrates the world of engineering and looks to inspire the next generation.
Other stations on the Elizabeth Line are slowly being completed with some already finished and platforms extended to accommodate 9-Car Class 345 trains. Also what about Hanwell. That too is also to be revamped and to have platforms extended. Same with Acton Main Line and West Ealing stations in West London.
Keenly interested in Hanwell; local people are very proud of this historical station, which is the only original surviving example of the Great Western Railway along the line.
It is hoped that the original colours for the paintwork will still be used and that a (much needed) lift will be built with sensitivity ! [Even the full station name of “Hanwell & Elthorne” carries an entertaining back story.]