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Finally it’s here! It’s a red-letter day for Londoners, or rather a properly regal purple one as the Elizabeth Line aka Crossrail finally opens to the public after a much-anticipated and (let’s be honest) really quite long wait.
In case you have been hiding up a tree for the last couple of decades, the Elizabeth Line is London’s newest transport link that links east to west across the city. Dedicated to Her Majesty (hence ‘Elizabeth Line’) to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee year, the aim was to have everything up and at us by the Jubilee Bank Holiday. Currently running from zones 1-4 and allowing you to travel seamlessly from Abbey Wood in the south-east to Paddington in the west, by 2023 you'll be able to travel from Shenfield in Essex to Reading and Heathrow. All this, without getting off a train that’s not quite a tube as TfL have also hooked up with rail networks to deliver what is a massive 100km project that incorporates 41 stations.
If you are wondering how time has passed since the first excavations began for the Elizabeth Line, then take a look at your average year 9 pupils in all their glorious spotty glory, yup, that’s right, it’s been 13 years. There have been delays (definitely), false alarms, spiralling costs and tears (almost certainly) but ultimately today is the day that bums are on seats and we get the verdict from actual Elizabeth Line passengers. The response is mostly positive but a 9am blip in the form of a fire evacuation at Paddington (quickly resolved), created a bit of a stir.
We’ll start with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, as he’s, erm, Mayor of London
Today’s the day: The Elizabeth line opens!
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 24, 2022
This is a big moment for London and the entire country. Get ready for modern trains, step-free stations and reduced journey times across the capital and the South East.https://t.co/xHfcCsmgvs
One excited passenger hopped on to take the early train. First impressions? It’s pretty busy, but there’s an unusual amount of smiles given that this is a London commute.
WE RODE THE FIRST TRAIN!! At abbey wood … 💜🚆 pic.twitter.com/cOVPDZtBqE
— Geoff Marshall (@geofftech) May 24, 2022
Eager crowds queued in very soggy circumstances outside Abbey Wood this morning to catch the first-ever westbound train.
Despite the rain, there are significant queues outside Abbey Wood station already ahead of the launch of the Elizabeth line pic.twitter.com/zhqv6LouPv
— Harry Low (@HarryLow49) May 24, 2022
If this all seems like something historic to be part of, do bear in mind that there were hazards that some brave passengers had to negotiate on the 11am from Paddington, namely an enforced fun (oxymoron, if ever there was one) riff on the Elizabeth Line livery, in the form of ‘Purple (T)rain’ karaoke
Rail enthusiasts are the most enthusiastic enthusiasts. Here are #ElizabethLine fans singing ‘Purple Train’ - a spin on the Prince hit! ☂️ @BBCLondonNews @geofftech pic.twitter.com/StPRjyO7qe
— Luxmy Gopal (@luxmy_g) May 24, 2022
This proud dad delivered his experience with brutal honesty (it’s not the crown that makes the wearer, eh?).
I went on the Elizabeth Line line today with the kids dressed as royalty, like a family of basics. pic.twitter.com/vp3QaPx7cg
— Ron Fleasley (@Ron_Fleasley) May 24, 2022
Craig gave us the good stuff that we’ve actually been waiting for – frankly, we are all here for the first dog on the Elizabeth Line, who turned out to be a very serious cockapoo on the 6.30am from Abbey Wood who clearly realises the seriousness of the moment,
First dog on Elizabeth Line @TfL (0630 Abbey Wood) pic.twitter.com/Hj6MZwIQ9Y
— Craig Rowley (@0wley) May 24, 2022
Seems like it’s a two thumbs up for the big purple lady.
Need more #purpletrain in your life? Here’s a pocket-sized guide to the Elizabeth Line launch.
Feeling peckish while you Crossrail? Here’s where to eat along it.