Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
It was announced that trial running of the Class 345 trains through the brand new tunnelled section of the London Crossrail (Elizabeth line) railway had began, so I went to Custom House station (which is wholly above ground) to see the trains in action. Exhaustive trials with moving trains are needed to ensure that all the high-technology (signalling and much more) works as intended.
Alas, I drew a 'short straw' and found myself there on a day when different tests were being conducted. Nevertheless I saw two Class 345 trains - one moving (travelling 'wrong road'), one stationary - plus some buses and London Docklands Light Railway trains on adjacent roads / railway tracks. Seeing a Class 345 train that stayed at the westbound platform for long time was actually extremely beneficial, as it guaranteed my being able to see 'one of each' of the trains from the two different railway services that (will) serve this station. (For the record, the DLR train was eastbound).
Also included in this film is some April 2018 footage showing part of the Crossrail line whilst still under construction in the Abbey Wood area of south-east London.
(Note / Important: These trains are NOT yet carrying passengers on this route - but they can be ridden on services from Paddington / Ealing Broadway stations in west London and Liverpool Street / Stratford stations in east London)
It was announced that trial running of the Class 345 trains through the brand new tunnelled section of the London Crossrail (Elizabeth line) railway had began, so I went to Custom House station (which is wholly above ground) to see the trains in action. Exhaustive trials with moving trains are needed to ensure that all the high-technology (signalling and much more) works as intended.
Alas, I drew a 'short straw' and found myself there on a day when different tests were being conducted. Nevertheless I saw two Class 345 trains - one moving (travelling 'wrong road'), one stationary - plus some buses and London Docklands Light Railway trains on adjacent roads / railway tracks. Seeing a Class 345 train that stayed at the westbound platform for long time was actually extremely beneficial, as it guaranteed my being able to see 'one of each' of the trains from the two different railway services that (will) serve this station. (For the record, the DLR train was eastbound).
Also included in this film is some April 2018 footage showing part of the Crossrail line whilst still under construction in the Abbey Wood area of south-east London.
(Note / Important: These trains are NOT yet carrying passengers on this route - but they can be ridden on services from Paddington / Ealing Broadway stations in west London and Liverpool Street / Stratford stations in east London)
