Full Breakdown
First New Elizabeth Line Train Rolls Off Derby Production Line
6/6/2026, 10:24:21 PM
Milestone: First New Class 345 Aventra Leaves Production Line
Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby has completed assembly of the first of ten additional Class 345 Aventra trains for London’s Elizabeth line. The nine-carriage unit entered the factory’s test track for final checks before a programme of trials on routes around London and on the Elizabeth line itself. Delivery is slated for passenger service later in 2024.
Rising Demand and Capacity Needs on the Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth line opened in May 2022 and has become the United Kingdom’s busiest rail service, recording more than 850 million passenger journeys. Growing ridership and the forthcoming HS2 connection at Old Oak Common have driven the need for extra capacity.
Stakeholders: Alstom, TfL, Government and the Local Workforce
- Alstom – Managing Director Andy Butters (Derby Litchurch Lane Works)
- Transport for London (TfL) – Director of Rail Trish Ashton
- London mayoral office – Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance
- Alstom staff – Process engineer Chloe Turnbull and an unnamed employee who described the contract as a “life-saver”
- Excel London – CEO Jeremy Rees
Technical Specs and Economic Impact
- Length: nine carriages; total fleet length will approach ten miles once all ten units are in service.
- Construction: five miles of welded joints, 50 miles of cabling, >47,700 screws and 31,700 bolts per train.
- Capacity: the full fleet will accommodate roughly 120,000 passengers, comparable to the capacity of Wembley Stadium.
- Supply chain: the programme supports almost 40 UK suppliers and sustains more than 1,000 jobs.
- Funding: £370 million contract, including £220.5 million from the Department for Transport; TfL will fund maintenance through 2046.
Official Statements & Responses
Alstom’s Andy Butters said the contract protects the Derby asset and secures UK rolling-stock production. TfL’s Trish Ashton highlighted the milestone as a step toward meeting rising passenger demand. Deputy Mayor Seb Dance framed the project as evidence that investment in London’s transport infrastructure generates wider economic growth. Jeremy Rees noted the line’s role in boosting business tourism, with visitor numbers at Excel London rising by about 20 percent since the line opened.
Criticism & Opposition
The contract was secured after Alstom initiated a redundancy consultation that placed 1,300 jobs at risk, prompting concerns about job security. Additionally, while the new trains will eventually increase capacity, they will initially be used for maintenance rotations, delaying any immediate passenger-capacity benefit.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on when capacity gains will materialise: some state the new units will increase capacity on entry into service, whereas others explain that capacity will only rise after the full fleet is delivered and the existing fleet is overhauled, a process expected to complete by the end of 2027.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Elizabeth line is a perfect example of how quality transport infrastructure can unlock opportunities for the people and places it connects, with this vital work in Derby showing how investing in the capital doesn’t just benefit Londoners but drives wider economic growth across the country.” — Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport
- “We were facing some particularly difficult times but we secured this contract. It's protecting this asset and protecting rolling stock production in the UK.” — Andy Butters, Managing Director, Alstom Derby
- “To see it all come together and to sit here on this completed one, I'm so proud,” — Chloe Turnbull, Process Engineer, Alstom
- “More than 850 million customer journeys have now been made on the Elizabeth line, and it’s fantastic to see the first of the ten new trains leaving the factory. This is an important milestone in our journey towards increasing capacity on the line, meeting the growing demand for increased connectivity that we deliver for hundreds of thousands of customers every day,” — Trish Ashton, Director of Rail, TfL
- “Jeremy Rees, CEO of Excel London, said: "Without doubt, the Elizabeth line has been transformational for the events industry, removing the friction of travel across the city and reviving London’s business tourism economy.” — Jeremy Rees, CEO, Excel London
What’s Next
The prototype will complete factory testing before moving to trial runs on the national network and the Elizabeth line later in 2024. Remaining units are scheduled for delivery through 2025-2026, with the full fleet expected in service by the end of 2027, at which point the line’s capacity will increase to accommodate the projected passenger growth and the future HS2 Old Oak Common service.
