Trial operations have commenced on Crossrail ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth Line in the first half of next year, Transport for London has confirmed.
During this final phase of testing more than 150 scenarios will be carried out, to ensure that all systems and procedures work effectively and that staff can respond to any incidents, such as signal failure or passengers being unwell.
Further software adjustments to the train, signalling and tunnel ventilation system will also take place throughout December and over the Christmas period.
In the New Year, a series of more complex exercises will then take place - including evacuations of trains and stations, using thousands of staff and volunteers and in conjunction with emergency services.
The final step will be a period of ‘shadow running’ when timetable services are fully operated in the run-up to the Elizabeth Line opening.
London Transport Commissioner Andy Byford said: “Everyone is working hard to make sure we can open the Elizabeth Line safely and reliably in the first half of 2022.
“It is great to now enter this final stretch. The trial operations phase will see staff really get to grips with all aspects of this complex and transformational railway to ensure we are ready to welcome customers next year.”
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Güntürk Üstün - 30/11/2021 15:40
Crossrail is a complex major program to run new, direct rail services (the Elizabeth Line) between Reading and Heathrow Airport at the western ends of the railway and to Shenfield in Essex and Abbey Wood in south-east London at the eastern ends. It is the world’s first truly digital railway of its size and scale that will have no peers around the globe. Trial operations that have recently started in November 2021, mark a key point and the final phase in the exemplary Elizabeth Line’s transition to an operational railway and the start of passenger services asap next year. Once opened, 70 new Class 345 nine-car electric multiple units designed and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) will run on the relevant network using overhead lines at 25 kV, 50 Hz AC, as on the Great Eastern Main Line and the Great Western Main Line. Dr. Güntürk Üstün