First New Class 345 Train Enters Elizabeth Line Passenger Service

The first of 10 additional Class 345 Aventra trains for London’s Elizabeth line has entered passenger service, following a period of mainline testing.

Built by Alstom at its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, Class 345 unit 345071 was accepted by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 August and began carrying passengers on Friday 28 August.

The additional trains are being funded by the UK Government and are intended to provide capacity as demand on the Elizabeth line increases. They are also expected to support future demand associated with HS2’s planned Old Oak Common station.

The nine-carriage electric multiple units are being manufactured at Alstom’s Derby site, with the project involving a UK supply chain of almost 40 companies and more than 1,000 employees.

Each train contains around five miles of welding and 50 miles of cabling, alongside more than 47,700 screws and 31,700 bolts.

Nimesh Tailor, Project Director Elizabeth line + at Alstom said:

Seeing the first of the additional ten Elizabeth line units enter passenger service is a special moment for everyone involved at our Derby site – as well as all those across the country involved in their creation.

I am incredibly proud of what the team in Derby has achieved, and know their commitment to deliver the remaining nine trains will continue with the same rigour, passion and dedication. This milestone once again demonstrates Derby's capability to deliver complex and high-quality rolling stock projects that benefit passengers and local economies across the UK and around the world.

The trains have undergone testing on the mainline railway involving Alstom, TfL and Elizabeth line operator GTS before entering service.

The additional Class 345 units form part of the wider fleet supporting the Elizabeth line, which is one of the UK’s busiest railway services.

Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works is marking its 150th anniversary in 2026. The site is the company’s largest global facility and manufactures trains for both the UK and international markets.