Plans to run Class 345s between Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 4 were put on hold last year to allow train manufacturer Bombardier to concentrate on getting trains to work within the tunnels that make up the core of the Elizabeth Line. Two years after the Stage 2 Crossrail launch was supposed to see ‘345s’ serve the airport, the indications are they are almost ready to do just that.
Problems with the reliability of using the European Train Control System (ETCS) in the Heathrow tunnels has resulted in the present situation where Class 345s can run between Paddington and Reading but Class 360s, with their legacy Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, have been retained to operate TfL Rail services on the Heathrow spur.
Now, the word within the industry is that issues with the reliability of the ETCS overlay in the Heathrow tunnels have been resolved. Driver training featuring Class 345s on the Heathrow spur is underway and the launch of Stage 2B, which will see operator MTR start running a passenger service, is expected with the national rail biannual timetable change this May.
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Judging by events around the world, the Stage 2B launch could see few people using the new trains to Heathrow…
