Production of London Overground trains begins
The trains are designed to carry high numbers of passengers while also improving comfort, safety and reliability
TfL London Rail Managing Director Ian Brown led the 10-strong party from London to the manufacturer's Litchurch Lane workshops to see the assembly of the first Electrostar 378 carriage body shell.
He said: "I am delighted to mark the start of production of the new trains which will transform passenger journeys on the London Overground network.
"The trains are designed to carry high numbers of passengers while also improving comfort, safety and reliability."
The group were able to inspect carriage roofs, body sides and underframes and were walked through the production process by Bombardier Chairman and Chief Country Representative UK, Colin S Walton.
Extra carriages
A total of 44 new units with 36 extra carriages have been ordered by TfL in a £259m contract.
The first new trains will see service in 2009.
TfL is to take over the concession for the North London Railway - currently held by Silverlink - on 11 November when the first London Overground services start operating.
The existing rolling stock will be deep cleaned and repaired for use until the new carriages are ready to be commissioned.
Notes to editors
- Members of the TfL party were: Tony West - TfL Board; Patrick O'Keeffe - TfL Board; Paul Moore - TfL Board; Christopher Garnett - TfL Board; Mary Hardy - TfL Director of Internal Audit; Ian Brown - Managing Director, TfL London Rail; Peter Richards - Director of Infrastructure, TfL London Rail Howard Smith - Chief Operating Officer, Phil Clarke - Rolling Stock Project Manager, TfL London Rail, Innes Ferguson - Group Design Manager
- For images contact TfL Press Officer Allan Ramsay