‘The train now approaching Canary Wharf on Crossrail’s Elizabeth line is not stopping’ — just yet, anyway

The first trains have been on trial test runs through east London on Crossrail’s new Elizabeth line at speeds up to 60mph.

Just seven months are left to make sure the £15 billion ‘super tube’ giving east London a fast and direct link to the West End and Heathrow is ready to open in December.

Video footage shows how advanced the construction has reached, since work began in 2009.

Europe’s biggest infrastructure project is now in its final stages, with the platform screen safety doors now installed at Canary Wharf, Whitechapel, Liverpool Street and other stations below ground in central London.

“The trains are now test-running through the tunnels up to 60 miles-an-hour,” London Underground director Mark Wild, who will be running the Elizabeth line, revealed this week. “Much more work still has to be done on stations, testing signalling and training staff which is now underway with just seven months for the line to be ready.”

Trains have been tested between Canary Wharf, Custom House and Abbey Wood.

The overhead power cables were switched on in the week between Whitechapel and Westbourne Park. The tunnels are now “fully energised”, says Crossrail.

The line, once completed, is being handed over to Transport for London to start trial operations and commissioning phase before December’s official opening.

Passengers will then be able to travel direct to Heathrow in just 39 minutes.