Transport for London acknowledges Aventra delay, but testing under way
Pioneer Class 345 Aventra (345001) was taken to Crewe LNWR on May 31, for the start of main line commissioning.
The seven-car electric multiple unit was moved on the same day that Transport for London finally confirmed that the first Aventra would not be entering traffic with Crossrail as expected on May 23!
That had been the date revealed in TfL documents published in March ( RAIL 826, 828). TfL twice contacted RAIL on May 31, but did not confirm a specific date for the introduction of the EMUs.
Howard Smith, TfL’s Operations Director for the Elizabeth Line, said: “The train is undergoing thorough testing, assurance and approvals before it enters passenger service shortly. Good progress is being made and we anticipate testing being completed within the next few weeks. We continue to work closely with Bombardier, Network Rail and MTR Crossrail.”
The EMU was unveiled by Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane on July 29 last year ( RAIL 807), and has since been used for a variety of testing and commissioning, both at the Midlands factory and at the nearby Old Dalby test track.
TfL has 66 nine-car Class 345s on order. The first 15 Class 345s that will enter traffic (including 345001) will be delivered initially as seven-car trains, but will be reformed as nine-car trains when platform extensions are completed between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield.
345001 follows 345002 which, having carried out various tests on the Great Eastern Main Line, is now at North Pole depot ahead of testing on the Great Western Main Line (the ‘345s’ enter traffic between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport next year). 345005345007 are at Ilford undergoing testing and commissioning, while 345008/009/018 are at Old Dalby.
The ‘345s’ will be introduced initially on the Metro route to Shenfield, replacing pairs of Class 315s that date from 1980-81. Eleven will be in traffic by September, according to Bombardier.
The Aventras were ordered by TfL for Crossrail in a £1 billion deal. While 66 nine-car trains were ordered (345001-345066), TfL is already investigating adding a further four to the order (there is an option for 17), to enable an increase in services.
The Class 345s are the first Aventra order won by Bombardier since it unveiled the design to replace its Electrostar trains.
As well as the Crossrail deal (594 vehicles), Bombardier is building 45 four-car Class 710s for London Overground (180 vehicles) and 111 Class 720s for Greater Anglia (665 vehicles).