More Class 345s completed ready for Crossrail duty
PRODUCTION of the initial order of 65 Class 345s for Crossrail is progressing, Bombardier told RAIL on February 28.
Spokesman Will Tanner said that of the initial order of 65 trains for Crossrail, 35 had been completed, with more in production.
While Transport for London (TfL) publicly states that the deal is for 66 trains, Bombardier has only received an order so far for 65, although it is expected that will increase to at least 66 and probably 70. Last year, TfL extended the deal by another four trains.
Tanner said that the first two full-length nine-car electric multiple units had been delivered, with 345020 being used for testing between London Paddington and Maidenhead ( RAIL 847), and 345021 being used to test Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) on the central section (see Network News, page 12-13).
From March 1, two full-length ‘345s’ are due to be based at
Old Oak Common (345020 and 345029), with more to follow.
Meanwhile, there are currently 13 seven-car Class 345s at Ilford for passenger duties, with 345005-017 available and 345013 accepted for service on February 27. Tanner said a further two seven-car sets are due by the end of March.
These sets are delivered initially as seven-car trains due to the length of platforms in London, and will be extended to nine-car sets when London Liverpool Street’s Platform 18 is closed and platform extension work is completed.
For the Class 710 LOTrain project for London Overground, Tanner said 16 trains (64 vehicles) have been completed so far. The trains are currently undergoing type testing ahead of service introduction. One set (710258) had been taken to Valenciennes in France for type testing.
The Class 710 order was initially for 45 four-car EMUs, of which 14 (710256-710269) would be dual-voltage. Tanner confirmed that in December that the option for a further 42 vehicles was taken up by Transport for London - these will be delivered as three four-car Class 710/2s in spring 2019, and six five-car sets delivered in winter 2019-20. All will be dual-voltage.
Meanwhile, construction has started on the first Class 720 Aventras for Greater Anglia, with five-car sets due in traffic with GA from next March ( RAIL 847).