The first trains have entered Crossrail’s tunnel at Plumstead in southeast London.

A 465 metre-long concrete train was hauled into the tunnel by GB Railfreight Class 66s. Two of the locomotives are now based at the site.

The train, which is a self-contained concrete batching factory, is one of several new machines Crossrail will use to fit out the tunnels. The work marks the start of the next major stage of the £14.9 billion scheme.

  • For much more on Crossrail, read RAIL 788, published on November 25.