Elizabeth line

The Elizabeth line is a high-frequency hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit service in London and its suburbs. The service is named after Queen Elizabeth II, who officially opened the line on 17 May 2022 during her Platinum Jubilee year; passenger services started on 24 May 2022.

Elizabeth line
An Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood in May 2022
Overview
Service type	Commuter rail Rapid transit[1]
Locale	Greater London Berkshire Buckinghamshire Essex
First service	24 May 2022
Current operator(s)	MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Ltd[2]
Website	tfl.gov.uk/modes/elizabeth-line/
Route
Start	West: Heathrow Terminal 4, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading
Stops	41
End	East: Abbey Wood and Shenfield
Technical
Rolling stock	Class 315, Class 345
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Operating speed	Crossrail: 60 mph (95 km/h) GWML, Heathrow and GEML: 90 mph (145 km/h)
Track owner(s)	Transport for London (Old Oak Common to Abbey Wood and Stratford) Network Rail (Liverpool Street Main Line to Shenfield and Old Oak Common to Reading) Heathrow Airport Holdings (Heathrow branch)
Transport for London rail lines London Underground Bakerloo Central Circle District Hammersmith & City Jubilee Metropolitan Northern Piccadilly Victoria Waterloo & City Other systems Crossrail DLR London Trams London Overground TfL Rail v t e

Under the project name of Crossrail, the system was approved in 2007, and construction began in 2009. Originally planned to open in 2018, the project was repeatedly delayed, including for several months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Elizabeth line uses a modern tube tunnel cut through the North London chalk especially for the North-east to South-west London commuters. That direction was favoured because it was especially difficult to get to Heathrow from the North-west of London. The tunnelling is relatively new, but the line links up with older tube stations en-route.

Map

Elizabeth Line as of May 2022