The first footage of the new Elizabeth line trains being tested in the Crossrail tunnels under London has been released, along with new photos of the construction progress.
The final phases of turning Crossrail into the Elizabeth line is under way – all the platform screen doors are installed with testing underway, installation of the overhead power equipment in the tunnels is complete and the new stations are being fitted out with remaining architectural finishes and mechanical and electrical equipment.
The new Elizabeth line trains are currently being tested between Abbey Wood and Canary Wharf using the line’s automatic train control system which operates in the central section of the route. Earlier this week, the overhead power equipment was successfully switched on in the remaining section between Westbourne Park and Stepney which means that the Elizabeth line tunnels are now fully powered up.
Bond Street station, westbound platform: The 240m long platforms, more than twice as long as an average Tube platform, feature full height platform screen doors that house lighting and passenger information screens.
Tottenham Court Road station: The western ticket hall on Dean Street in Soho is nearing completion, with glazing, flooring and lights now installed. A gap in the panelling has been left for a new digital screen that will contain a bespoke artwork by Turner Prize winner Douglas Gordon.
Farringdon: New directional signage at Farringdon station. To reduce clutter, the new totems also contain lighting and speaker systems traditionally found elsewhere.
Liverpool Street station: The ticket hall one storey below ground. The station contains a passageway providing a direct connection to the Northern line at Moorgate.
Whitechapel: Newly installed escalator descending to platform level.
Class 345 train at Paddington: Transport for London have taken over the Heathrow Connect services between Paddington and Heathrow terminals 2/3 and 4, and the half hourly Great Western Railway (GWR) services from Paddington which terminate at Hayes & Harlington.
Railway fit-out: Overhead power equipment being installed in the new tunnels, and on the surface at Westbourne Park.
I will be using the Elizabeth Line when the Central section opens next year. Plus TfL Rail have taken over the Paddington-Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Terminal 4 services from Heathrow Connect. Whilst Heathrow Express will still operate between Paddington-Heathrow Terminal 5. I also like the Class 345’s because these new trains built by Bombardier are very nice.
Also I can’t wait to ride on the new London Overground Class 710’s when they are due to enter service in the summer this year or late this year that will replace the Class 315’s, Class 317’s on the Lea Valley and Romford-Upminster services and Class 172’s on the Gospel Oak-Barking Line. Plus with Class 710’s that will replace the Class 378’s on the Euston-Watford DC service to be used on the East London Line and North London Line services.
I’m sure I’m not the first to observe that the smooth white panels and light strips of the underground Crossrail stations look like something straight out of the video game “Portal”.
Compare the (second) picture of Farringdon/Barbican to the picture below:
http://i68.tinypic.com/2j0bgax.jpg
One possible problem is that the new 345’s do not have toilets. If you are commuting from say, Reading to Stratford, it is quite a distance to have to go loo free.
I very much doubt many will be commuting that distance, especially as they’d be quicker taking a nonstop service from Reading to Paddington and then changing to an Elizabeth Line train.
Some of these stations look far less finished than I would expect at this stage!