Elizabeth Line (CrossRail) opened 24th May 2022

Not with the numbers of passengers and the train frequency and limited stop time. 

Why couldn't modified (non passenger) 319s enter the tunnels?

TL core retains standard signalling in parallel with the in cab signalling.  Electrical and other clearances through the TL core are very tight and the list of stock types permitted to travel through it with the overhead line energised is very small (and not that much larger with it isolated).

This thread has become a kind of "backwards RIPAS" - i.e. what might / could have been!

I think it was inevitable that TFL would be given full control of the project for many of the reasons already mentioned.

But regardless of the the details, we need to get this open as soon as possible so that we can get on with using it! It's actually quite comforting that the Germans, known throughout the world for their efficiency, also have a similarly embarrassing project (Brandenburg Airport).

I very much wish that the Baker Street - Finchley Road tunnels had been enlarged, even if only for a wider compromise height train - as the trains use the electric rail system there would not have been a need to consider space for pantographs or overhead wires and the roofs could still have been curved.

Ah well, too late now.

Only Abbey Wood/Paddington and only if they can get trial running in the first quarter of next year.

Reminds me of essential Jubilee line tunneling works between Baker Street and Bond Street. Probably tunnel widening for speed increase and drainage.

Thank you for the insight! I just felt that the speed was increased around that section based on journey videos on Youtube.

I definitely would agggreeeeeee on thattt

As this is considerably more than NIL, then this clearly represents some sort of progress - even if there are none of those nasty passengers to worry about.

However the ability for 6 trains to operate simultaneously when spread out somewhere along the 5 core stations (Paddington-Liverpool Street) so potentially spread over 10 platforms, does not really sound like there is any great sense of urgency about the testing process. One might wonder if they are actually aiming for a pasenger service launch sometime in the mid 2030's rather than the mid 2020's.

I thought the whole point of all this fancy computerised train control system was that it was designed from the outset to allow an incredibly intense service through the core.

Out of interest - it'd be great if you could share this Twitter feed (and any others with up to date information on Crossrail). Thank you!

The papers for the 2nd meeting of the Elizabeth line committee have now been made public:

So what on earth is going on now?

This time last month we were alerted that ..

"The druids have gathered at the stone circle of Sunkenkirk where a full moon told them of a predicted core opening of late 2021*

Now the article referred to directly above now states that date has slipped to first half of 2022, and presumably Andy Byfords comments mean that date is at risk, as it assumes someone stumps up a shed load of extra money very soon - or key workers will start to jump ship.

I am beginning to wonder if there is someone out there unbuilding this railway?

Perhaps people will finally realise TFL need to start earning some income from this moneypit.

In short we need TFL to take an axe to all the "would be nice stuff" which currently provides a convenient excuse to say stuff cannot open. Stuff which goes way beyond what HSE require for Thameslink trains which have been running under London for years.

Almost every day there are undoubtely things which are not working on other TFL lines - faulty lifts, faulty escalators, cones around trip hazards.. and yet somehow no one suggest the whole line is shut down. Perhaps it is time to go for a less super duper railway and realise that we really need TFL to open the line with some unresolved flaws, with some accessiblity constraints, for a brief period and allow all residual stuff to be fixed as and when.

COVID is the only reason people are not screaming at TFL to get that railway carrying people now.

We have already seen pretty videos showing that trains can arrive at platforms. doors can open, doors can close and the train depart without anyone dying. So you do not need any fancy software upgrades especially if you constrain the core operation to just two trains with just one train allocated per running tunnel so they can run back and forward on a single engine in steam principle.

It may not be perfect but at last this jinxed project will be of use to the people of London rather than simply providing a never ending job creation scheme.

Latest Elizabeth Line route schedule revealed in FoI request here . As previously discussed here, seems plan now when central section opens, is to retain TfL Rail name for existing routes. But when Shenfield service extends to Paddington, unclear if all lines become Elizabeth line.