Fourth Class 345 arrives for Crossrail

A fourth Class 345 for Crossrail was delivered to Ilford on May 2. The seven-car electric multiple unit (345007) is now expected to be the first to enter traffic on May 23 (after this issue of RAIL went to press).

The EMUs are being built by Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane, with 66 on order from an option of 84 trains. Transport for London is already looking to extend the order to 70 trains, so that it can increase service frequency on Crossrail - before it has even opened!

So far 345002/005-007 have been delivered, with 345005007 ready for passenger use internally while 345002 is being used for testing. It will migrate west for testing on the Western section of the railway towards Maidenhead.

The first 15 Class 345s will enter traffic as seven-car EMUs before being extended to ninecar trains following the delivery of the remaining 51 trains.

There will be 11 Class 345s in traffic by September, replacing pairs of Class 315s that date from 1980-1981.