Seyi shares…

You may see the new train passing through Forest Gate on some off-peak services. There will be 11 new rolling stock sets in service by the autumn- woo!

“Good morning

I am pleased to announce that following extensive testing and preparation, the first of our new trains will be introduced into service today on the TfL Rail route between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield.  These are the new trains that will serve the Elizabeth line when the new central London stations open next December (as well as new tunnels).

Initially, the train will operate one return trip a day in the off-peak between Liverpool Street and Shenfield. Trains will also continue to be seen on the line as they are used for driver training and also further testing along the route. Further trains will be gradually introduced over the next few months, with eleven in service on the route by the autumn.

The trains are seven carriages (160 metres long) to fit the existing platforms at Liverpool Street and will later be extended to nine carriages (with capacity for up to 1500 people) when Shenfield services extend to Paddington in 2019.

Key features of the trains include:

• Interconnected, walk-through carriages
• Dedicated wheelchair spaces and additional multi-use spaces for buggies and luggage
• More standing room with a mixture of longitudinal and bay seating
• Air-conditioning
• Intelligent lighting and temperature control
• Three sets of double doors along each carriage for quicker and easier boarding and alighting
• Improved travel information for passengers to plan their onward journeys

More information can be found on the TfL website.

New timetable

On 21 May we introduced a new timetable, providing:

• Eleven additional services from Liverpool Street to Gidea Park in the mornings which will benefit customers travelling eastbound towards Essex
• Three new services from Gidea Park to Liverpool Street in the evenings which will benefit customers travelling westbound towards central London

As a result of the introduction of these additional services there have been some changes to the timings of other services.  For full details please view the timetable here or check the TfL Journey Planner.

Other recent progress

As you will be aware a significant amount of upgrade work is being carried out along the route to replace track and overhead lines, improve stations and deliver step-free access.

In preparation for the introduction of the new trains and the future Elizabeth line, Network Rail recently completed significant work in the Shenfield area.  This included a newly built platform at Shenfield station, three new sidings to accommodate the new trains and the complete remodelling of a rail junction to improve reliability and increase capacity both for fast and stopping services.

Station improvement work

TfL and Network Rail are also working at stations to prepare for the Elizabeth line.  TfL has opened a new booking hall at Ilford York Road and completed ticket hall refurbishments at Manor Park, Seven Kings, Brentwood and Chadwell Heath stations. Work to provide new lifts at Manor Park, Seven Kings and Maryland is progressing well.

Network Rail is also lengthening platforms to accommodate the longer trains, upgrading ticket offices and installing lifts.  Step-free access will be provided at Harold Wood, Goodmayes and Gidea Park stations in the autumn, with Forest Gate following in early 2018. Additionally, a major station rebuild is planned for Ilford and proposals for significant improvements at Romford station are being considered by Havering.

For further information about the station improvements please visit TfL Rail improvements.

We appreciate the continued patience and support of our customers and neighbours while this significant programme of upgrade work continues.  The introduction of this first train marks the next stage in the delivery of the Elizabeth line that will deliver significant benefits for east London, including new trains, better stations and improved connectivity.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You can also find further information on the Elizabeth line pages on the TfL website.”

If you have any questions you would like me to pass on to the Stakeholder Communications Manager please do get in touch