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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
 An Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood in May 2022 | |
| Overview | |
| Service type | |
| Locale | |
| First service | 24 May 2022 |
| Current operator(s) | MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Ltd[2] |
| Website | tfl |
| Route | |
| Start | West: Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading |
| Stops | 41 |
| End | East: Abbey Wood and Shenfield |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | Class 315, Class 345 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Operating speed |
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| Track owner(s) |
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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
Map
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References
change- ↑ "TfL Rail: What we do". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ↑ "MTR selected to operate Crossrail services". Railway Gazette International. London. 18 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2022.