The first of 10 new Class 345 Aventra trains built by Alstom for the Elizabeth line has rolled off the production line at the Litchurch Lane plant in Derby, UK, and is currently undergoing final testing on the plant’s test track.
The Class 345 No. 345071 train is set to undergo a period of testing on lines near London and on the Elizabeth line before entering commercial service, scheduled for the end of this year.
The 10 new trains are being built to meet growing demand on the Elizabeth line, one of the most important urban and suburban rail connections in London. Once all trains have been delivered, the line’s total fleet will have a capacity of approximately 120,000 passengers.
The Elizabeth line has surpassed 850 million journeys
This milestone comes as the Elizabeth line marks four years since its opening. The line has become the busiest single rail service in the UK, with over 850 million trips taken since its launch in May 2022.
When all the new trains are completed, the Elizabeth line fleet will have a combined length of nearly 16 kilometers. Alstom notes that this total capacity exceeds the number of people that can fit into London’s Wembley Stadium.
“Over 850 million journeys have already been made on the Elizabeth line, and it’s fantastic to see the first of the 10 new trains rolling off the production line. This is an important milestone on our journey to increase capacity on the line, to meet the growing demand for connectivity that we provide for hundreds of thousands of customers every day,” said Trish Ashton, Director of Rail at Transport for London.
The trains are manufactured in Derby
The new trains are being built at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane factory in Derby, a city with a tradition in the British rail industry dating back to 1839. The Litchurch Lane plant opened in 1876 and is today the only remaining facility in the UK capable of designing, producing, manufacturing, and testing trains from scratch, for both the domestic market and for export.
Alstom emphasizes that investments in London’s transport infrastructure have economic effects beyond the capital. The company’s supply chain supports nearly 40 companies, with over 1,000 employees.
“Seeing the first of our new Aventra trains for the Elizabeth line roll off the production line in Derby is a proud moment for everyone at Litchurch Lane. This milestone reflects the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship of our teams, who are proudly building additional trains for one of the UK’s most successful rail services,” said Andy Butters, general manager of Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works.
He added that the new trains will help meet growing demand on the Elizabeth line, while supporting highly skilled jobs in Derby and across the national supply chain.
“It is a powerful example of how investment in London’s transport network brings real economic benefits across the UK, with Derby continuing to play a central role in the British rail industry, just as it has since 1839,” said Andy Butters.
8 kilometers of welds and 80 kilometers of cables
Each nine-car Elizabeth Line train produced at the Alstom factory in Derby includes approximately 8 kilometers of welds, 80 kilometers of cables, over 47,700 screws, and 31,700 bolts.
The new trains will be manufactured, tested, and put into service this year and next. The 10 Aventra Class 345 units are funded by the British government to increase the Elizabeth line’s capacity and to serve the future Old Oak Common station, part of the HS2 high-speed line.
Seb Dance, London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, stated that the Elizabeth line demonstrates how quality transport infrastructure can create opportunities for the areas it connects.
“The Elizabeth line is a perfect example of how quality transport infrastructure can unlock opportunities for the people and places it connects, and this vital project in Derby shows that investment in the capital doesn’t just benefit Londoners, but stimulates broader economic growth across the country,” said Seb Dance.
Economic Impact in London
The new trains are also justified by the growing demand generated by the Elizabeth line in London’s economy. Excel London, one of the largest exhibition and event centers in the British capital, reports that nearly 49% of visitors now arrive via the Custom House station, using the fast, direct connections to Heathrow and other parts of the capital.
Since the Elizabeth line opened, visitor numbers at Excel London have increased by nearly 20%, and attendees are staying longer for networking and business meetings.
“Without a doubt, the Elizabeth line has been transformative for the events industry, eliminating the difficulties of getting around the city and revitalizing London’s business tourism economy. Based on our own independent research, we have seen a 20% increase in visitor numbers at Excel London as a direct result of the Elizabeth line, which has led to record attendance for many of our major trade shows,” said Jeremy Rees, CEO of Excel London.
He added that the most significant change is the increase in visit duration, which has reached an average of 7.5 hours, driven by faster travel times that encourage attendees to stay longer, interact more, and engage in additional business activities.
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