London Overground train. Pic: Wikipedia

London Overground has launched its first five-carriage train to be used by the public between Highbury and Islington and West Croydon next week, as part of Transport for London’s planned £320 million improvements to the rail network.

Isabel Dedring, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, unveiled the train in New Cross this week along with Managing Director of London Underground and Rail, Mike Brown.

TFL are responding to the rising number of passengers using the service and say that the extra carriage will add another 170 passengers per train.   It aims to increase the existing travel capacity of the network by 25 per cent by the end of next year.

Some platforms have had to be lengthened in addition to a new ‘stabling yard’ as the modified trains would not all fit into the existing site.

Head of Programme Delivery, Hugh Lawson said: “It feels like such a great achievement to see the first longer train running on London Overground. Following the success of the completion of Silwood sidings, this was the next big milestone for the London Overground Capacity Improvement Programme.”