Train testing on the East London Line Extension (Phase 2) between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction has now begun. The route was fully electrified at the weekend, and the first 378 ran on Sunday.
Driver training will begin shortly, and further testing will now take place, ahead of the extension’s official opening in December.
The ELLX2 will bring six more 378s into play on the ELL. It was previously suggested some of those would act as PIXC-busters (extra trains to reduce congestion during busy times) in the run up to December and during the Olympics, entering passenger service as they left the testing environment of the ELLX2 and passed onto the core. Whether this remains the plan is yet to be confirmed.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, TfL’s COO for Rail, Howard Smith, appears suitably chuffed:
The electrification and first train journey on this exciting new rail connection, marks the final major milestone in its construction.
This new track will enable a new service, between Highbury and Islington and Clapham Junction, and provide the final link to make London’s hugely successful Overground a fully orbital railway for London.
Clapham Junction nicely filled with 378s
378232 on the first run (Photographer unknown)
378232 with Canary Wharf behind her
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