The first footage of the new Elizabeth line trains being tested in the tunnels under London has been released, along with new construction progress images. The footage and images highlight the huge amount of work taking place beneath the streets of London in preparation for the opening of the Elizabeth line in December.
Europe’s biggest infrastructure project is now in its final stages - 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 new 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 energised.
Later this year, the first completed infrastructure will be handed over to Transport for London, who will lead the trial operations and commissioning phase ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth line in December.
Simon Wright, Crossrail Chief Executive & Programme Director said: “Construction of the Elizabeth line is now in its final stages with a huge effort underway to complete and commission this fantastic new railway. Significant progress continues to made with station fit-out heading towards completion, installation of platform screen doors complete, electrical equipment being switched on and train testing in the tunnels underway.”
Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground and the Elizabeth line, said: “With just seven months to go until the opening of the Elizabeth line, which will transform travel across the city, it’s great to see testing ramping up beneath the streets of London. The brand new trains that will provide better, quicker and more comfortable journeys for hundreds of thousands of people each day are now running through the tunnels at speeds of up to 60mph. Much more hard work is still to be done on completing stations, testing signalling and training staff. This is now underway to ensure that people can enjoy the Elizabeth line for the first time in December.”
The Crossrail project is being delivered by Crossrail Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of TfL, and is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and TfL.
http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/footage-of-train-testing-under-london-and-new-construction-images-highlight-elizabeth-line-progress
Credit: http://www.crossrail.co.uk