First tracks laid for Crossrail

The first section of track has been laid for Crossrail. It forms part of the 120 metre-long Stockley Flyover in Hillingdon (west London), which will be used by Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect trains from next year.

It is the largest single-span bridge to have been installed anywhere on the Great Western Main Line since Brunel’s era, and will ensure that services heading towards central London will be able to join the Great Western Main Line without being delayed by other trains.

• For more on this story, see RAIL 763, published December 10