Intensive Crossrail testing from eastern Stratford branch into core today

Today has seen a day of intensive testing on Crossrail as trains head from the eastern branch into the core and towards Paddington as preparations for opening ramp up.

Twelve trains per hour have been running from Ilford into the central section. Test services aren’t running all the way to Shenfield today which will be the ultimate destination upon opening.

In recent weeks testing was undertaken from the core onto the western section as far as Acton Main Line. There seems to be a new hurdle cleared every few days on the forthcoming Elizabeth Line recently as the jigsaw falls into place after years of delay.

Looking at Realtimetrains shows most trains have run to time this afternoon.

Testing with thousands of volunteers is imminent, and practice evacuations with the emergency services have been held.

One of the next milestones will be 24 trains per hour in the core, comprising 12 to the eastern Shenfield branch and 12 to Abbey Wood. Regular 12 train per hour testing between Abbey Wood and Paddington has been ongoing daily for months.

It’s all rather exciting as the opening now really does feel imminent. We still don’t know the exact date, but surely it can’t be long now?

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