New-look Shenfield ready for Crossrail trains

SHENFIELD station, the eastern terminus of what will become the Elizabeth Line, has been rebuilt ahead of the start of the new May timetable, when Class 345s enter traffic.

TfL Rail trains have started serving the Essex station. Since January they have been running only as far as Brentwood, while Shenfield was being rebuilt and a new platform installed.

More than 200 new overhead line electrification posts have been installed, to support 21,000 metres of new OLE fitted with autotension systems designed to reduce heat-related speed restrictions. More than 5,000 metres of new track and 26 new switches have been installed at the junction. And three new sidings have been constructed north of the station, to stable the Class 345s.

Shenfield’s new Platform 6 is dedicated to the new Crossrail operations, while Platform 5 has been extended to accommodate the longer ‘345s’.

The first trains began using the upgraded infrastructure on May 2. Initially TfL Rail trains were running every 20 minutes between Brentwood and Shenfield on weekdays, every ten minutes on Saturdays, and every 30 minutes on Sundays (until May 22, after this issue of RAIL went to press). The first public train to use the new Platform 6 was the 0444 ShenfieldLondon Liverpool Street on May 3.

Additionally, during the blockade, work was completed at various Metro stations between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield in readiness for the new trains. Further work to be carried out includes installing lifts at Maryland, Manor Park and Seven Kings. Stabling sidings at Ilford are

also nearly complete, ready for the introduction of the ‘345s’.

Transport for London Operations Director Howard Smith said: “The new platform and other works at Shenfield will benefit both regular commuters and those travelling further afield. This marks another milestone in the delivery of the new railway.”

Shenfield station Platforms 1-3 remained open during the works, with the Great Eastern Main Line reduced from a four to twotrack railway from Shenfield to Brentwood. @Clinnick1

ANTONY GUPPY. TfL Rail 315850 stands at Shenfield’s new Platform 6 on May 11, having arrived with the 0920 from London Liverpool Street. To the right is the extended Platform 5. The three tracks on the far left are the Great Eastern Main Line, while the newly...

TRANSPORT FOR LONDON. The view of Shenfield Platforms 4 and 5, looking towards London on April 29. On May 2, trains began running through this section again for the first time since January.