Elizabeth line

The Elizabeth line is a high-frequency hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit service in London and its suburbs. The service is named after Queen Elizabeth II, who officially opened the line on 17 May 2022 during her Platinum Jubilee year; passenger services started on 24 May 2022.

Elizabeth line
Elizabeth line roundel.svg
345001 ABW.jpg
An Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood in May 2022
Overview
Service type
Locale
First service24 May 2022
Current operator(s)MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Ltd[2]
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Route
StartWest: Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading
Stops41
EndEast: Abbey Wood and Shenfield
Technical
Rolling stockClass 315, Class 345
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Operating speed
  • Crossrail: 60 mph (97 km/h)
  • GWML, Heathrow and GEML: 90 mph (140 km/h)
Track owner(s)

Under the project name of Crossrail, the system was approved in 2007, and construction began in 2009. Originally planned to open in 2018, the project was repeatedly delayed, including for several months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Elizabeth line uses a new tube tunnel cut through the North London chalk especially for the NE to SW commuters. That direction was favoured because it was especially difficult to get to Heathrow from the north-west of London. The tunnelling is new, but the line links up with older tube stations en route

Elizabeth line entrance, Liverpool Street station - 2022-06-03.jpg

Map

Elizabeth Line Media

References

  1. "TfL Rail: What we do". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  2. "MTR selected to operate Crossrail services". Railway Gazette International (London). 18 July 2014. http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/mtr-selected-to-operate-crossrail-services.html. Retrieved 25 August 2022.