Alstom’s First New Class 345 Aventra Train Enters Passenger Service on London’s Elizabeth Line

Derby-built Class 345 Aventra No. 345071 began serving passengers on Friday 28 August (Copyright – Transport for London)

(IN BRIEF) The first of ten new Alstom Class 345 Aventra trains built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works has entered passenger service on London’s Elizabeth line, with unit 345071 beginning operations on 28 August 2026 after acceptance on 25 August. The Government-funded trains will help meet rising passenger demand and support future capacity requirements linked to HS2’s Old Oak Common station. The nine-carriage electric multiple units are manufactured in Derby, with the programme supporting almost 40 UK supply-chain companies and more than 1,000 employees. The milestone coincides with the 150th anniversary of Derby Litchurch Lane Works, Alstom’s largest global facility and its international hub for the new-generation Adessia platform.

(PRESS RELEASE) SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, 2-Sep-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The first of ten new Alstom Class 345 Aventra trains built in Derby has entered passenger service on London’s Elizabeth line, following an extensive testing programme involving Alstom, Transport for London (TfL) and operator GTS.

The first new unit, Class 345 No. 345071, was accepted by the customer on 25 August 2026 and began carrying passengers on 28 August.

The ten additional electric multiple units are being delivered with UK Government funding and are intended to support growing passenger demand on the Elizabeth line, including future demand associated with the opening of HS2’s Old Oak Common station.

Derby-built trains support UK rail manufacturing

The new trains are being manufactured at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works, where the company is producing the additional Elizabeth line fleet.

Alstom said the programme supports a UK supply chain of almost 40 companies, representing more than 1,000 employees.

Each nine-carriage Elizabeth line train incorporates around five miles of welding, 50 miles of cabling, more than 47,700 screws and approximately 31,700 bolts.

Nimesh Tailor, Project Director Elizabeth line + at Alstom, said the entry into service of the first additional train represents a significant milestone for employees at Derby and suppliers across the UK involved in its production.

He said the achievement demonstrates the Derby site’s ability to deliver complex, high-quality rolling stock projects that benefit passengers and regional economies.

Tailor added that the same focus and commitment will continue as Alstom completes the remaining nine trains.

Elizabeth line capacity set to expand

The additional Class 345 Aventra units are designed to support increasing passenger volumes on the Elizabeth line, which Alstom describes as the UK’s single busiest railway service.

The new fleet will also provide additional capacity ahead of the planned opening of Old Oak Common, where the Elizabeth line will connect with the future High Speed Two (HS2) network.

Before entering passenger service, No. 345071 underwent mainline testing conducted jointly by Alstom, TfL and GTS.

Derby Litchurch Lane marks 150 years

The milestone comes as Derby Litchurch Lane Works celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026.

The facility is Alstom’s largest global site and the only train factory in the UK capable of designing, engineering, manufacturing and testing trains for both domestic and export markets.

Between 2017 and 2024, the plant delivered more than 2,660 Aventra carriages for UK train operators.

Following the success of the Aventra platform, Derby Litchurch Lane has become an Alstom Centre of Excellence and the company’s global hub for its new-generation Adessia train platform.

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SOURCE: Alstom