More Class 345s arrive from Bombardier in London for testing

More than half of the 70 TfL Rail Class 345s have now been built by Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane.

And more of the electric multiple units (EMUs) are arriving at Old Oak Common, either for testing and commissioning or for passenger traffic between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.

By the end of April, 345043 was the latest to be completed and ready for testing. It was at Derby Litchurch Lane, along with 345004/026/037-042.

Class 345s are tested at Old Dalby and then at Arriva Train Care at Crewe. At Old Dalby at the end of April were 345001/018/028/ 031/033-036, while 345032 was at Crewe.

At Old Oak Common for testing are 345019/020/023/024/027/029/ 031. Also at the West London depot are seven-car sets transferred from the Great Eastern Main Line (where they had been in traffic) for use on the Hayes shuttles.

Moved from the GEML are 345005/013/014/016/017. This leaves 345003/006-012/015/022 at Ilford, with all but 345003 having carried passengers.

Two ‘345s’ are at Abbey Wood for testing within the Crossrail tunnels (345021/025), while 345002 and 345030 are at Wembley.

All the Class 345s will be delivered by the end of next year. Although they are ordered as nine- car EMUs, 345002-345017/022 are currently seven-car sets, while 345001/018-021/023-043 are nine-car sets (345001 contains two vehicles from 345022).

The seven-car sets were delivered as shorter than planned trains, due to infrastructure constraints on the GEML.

DARREN FORD. Europhoenix 37608 stands stabled in the Up Goods Loop at Hayes & Harlington on April 7, hauling TfL Rail 345029 from Old Dalby to Old Oak Common. The ‘37’ and ‘345’ continued their journey the next day.