The new trains will increase capacity on Britain’s busiest railway and support future services to Old Oak Common station.
The first of ten additional Elizabeth line trains being built by Alstom has left the production line at Derby Litchurch Lane Works and entered the next phase of testing ahead of passenger service.
Class 345 unit 345071 has moved onto the factory’s dedicated test track, where engineers will complete final checks before the train begins a programme of trials on rail routes around London and on the Elizabeth line itself.
The milestone comes as the Elizabeth line celebrates its fourth anniversary. Since opening in May 2022, the railway has carried more than 850 million passenger journeys and has become the busiest rail service in the UK.
New Elizabeth line trains to boost capacity
The additional trains are being introduced to help meet growing passenger demand and prepare for future services serving Old Oak Common station, which will connect with HS2.
Once all ten trains are delivered, the Elizabeth line fleet will provide capacity for around 120,000 passengers. The combined length of the fleet will approach ten miles, highlighting the scale of the network’s continued growth.
The trains are being built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, the UK’s only facility capable of designing, engineering, manufacturing and testing trains from scratch for both domestic and export markets. Opened in 1876, the site remains one of the most significant railway manufacturing facilities in Britain.
Andy Butters described the completion of the first train as a proud moment for the workforce and said the programme demonstrated the value of rail investment in supporting skilled jobs across the UK.
Alstom said the project supports almost 40 suppliers employing more than 1,000 people throughout its wider supply chain.
Each nine carriage train contains around five miles of welding, 50 miles of cabling, more than 47,700 screws and approximately 31,700 bolts. Manufacturing, testing and commissioning of the fleet will continue throughout this year and next.
Trish Ashton said the project represented an important step towards increasing capacity on one of the capital’s most heavily used transport corridors.
Additional economic benefits linked to the Elizabeth line continue to emerge. Data from Excel London indicates visitor numbers have increased by almost 20 per cent since the railway opened, with nearly half of visitors now travelling via Custom House station.
The first of the new trains is expected to enter passenger service later this year following completion of testing and certification activities.
No comments yet