First new Elizabeth line trains reach London
Pictured: Elizabeth line train from day one of the service in 2022. A total of 70 trains have operated before new arrival.
The first new additional Elizabeth line trains ordered to bolster overall fleet numbers have been arriving in London.
One travelled down from Derby to Old Oak Common on Monday to join its sister stock at the depot in advance of testing in the capital.
A total of 70 trains operate on the Elizabeth line with depots at Old Oak Common, Plumstead and Ilford. The extra ten trains were ordered in June 2024 with TfL arguing that they’d be needed to serve HS2 at Old Oak Common station when that opens.
The DfT agreed and gave the green light in 2024. Funding is split with the DfT agreeing to fund £220.5m out of a total order out of £370 million, with TfL picking up the bill for the rest.
High Speed 2 connection
With the ongoing saga of rebuilding Euston station, it’s possible HS2 trains will have to terminate at Old Oak Common with additional Elizabeth line services needed to provide capacity for interchange.
Testing of the first new train began in June before the move south this week. At the time Litchurch Lane Works’ managing director Andy Butters stated: “Seeing the first of our new Elizabeth line Aventra trains roll off the production line in Derby is a proud moment for everyone at Litchurch Lane.
“This milestone reflects the skill, dedication and craftsmanship of our teams, who are proudly building additional trains for one of the UK’s most successful railway services.
“These new trains will help meet growing demand on the Elizabeth line while supporting highly skilled jobs in Derby and our nationwide supply chain. It’s a powerful example of how investment in London’s transport network delivers real economic benefits across the UK, with Derby continuing to play a central role in Britain’s rail industry – as it has done since 1839.”
A second factor behind the order was keeping the Alstom factory at Litchurch Lane open and avoiding closure and job losses. A lack of new train orders saw the threat of laying off hundreds of workers. This order keeps them going – for now.
As for future orders that could keep the plant open there’s the possibility of new stock to replace Southeastern Networkers. The latest news from the rail company is we’ll hear who wins the bid in September 2026. Though any agreement is dependent on the Department for Transport.
Introduction of new Elizabeth line trains is expected in 2027. In time that will provide a boost to frequency in capacity though that won’t be seen until late 2027 or 2028.
Since Alstom have manufactured 10 extra Class 345 trains for the Elizabeth Line that adds the total to 80 9-Car trains on the Elizabeth Line and to increase more capacity.
Is Alstom going to keep jobs going at Litchurch Lane train manufacturing facility and to build the new ‘Adessia’ trains that could be built at Derby and several train operators including Southeastern to order new ‘Adessia’ trains to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 trains.
And Alstom to manufacture new London Underground tube stock trains for the Bakerloo Line, Central Line and Waterloo & City Line.
Would be ideal if Alstom could manufacture more London Overground Class 710s including Class 710/3s to be used on the proposed West London Orbital and on the Lioness Line and Mildmay Line.
And few more Class 710/1s for the Weaver Line to operate as 8-Car (2 4-Car) service between Liverpool Street-Chingford, Cheshunt and Enfield Town.
Here is the new numbers for the 10 Class 345 trains that Elizabeth Line have ordered
345071
345072
345073
345074
345075
345076
345077
345078
345079
345080
And are scheduled to enter service from next year. TfL should have ordered more Class 345s few years ago when the Elizabeth Line opened in 2022.
Would be nice if Elizabeth Line could add extra trains on Shenfield-Reading service and some to continue on using London Paddington high level and Liverpool Street high level.
Class 345 “345071” entered passenger service couple days ago or a week ago with more to enter service throughout the remainder of this year.
Transport for London and Alstom could work together on the New Tube for London and to manufacture the new Bakerloo Line tube stock trains to replace the ageing 1972 Stock and to see these new tube trains on the Bakerloo Line to enter service in 2029 or 2030.