Cross Rail trying out

[cambsy]

Im going up to London on Sat 28th May, to try out the Cross Rail services, and look around the stations. I an thinking start off in Abbey Wood, with probably straight through run to Paddington, then do multiple trips back and forward along the line, so thinking:

How long spend checking out cross Rail, a few hours or most of day?, can i look around most of it in a few hours, or would it take most of the day?

Which stations are most interesting to look around, and architecturally interesting etc?

Are there things worth looking out for on the route?

I am looking forward to seeing Cross Rail, in action, and the architecture of the stations, get a feeling of what the whole thing is about, and hope to see thats its being very well used, even very early on.

 

[306024]

Difficult to say as it depends how long you spend at each station. But it’s a 30 minute run, and 9 stations if you don’t count Bond St. So half a day should suffice if you visit each station in order, longer if you don’t.

Canary Wharf, Whitechapel and Liverpool St are worth a good look, but the scale of all of them is impressive. As for the route only part of Canning Town to Abbey Wood isn’t completely underground, so unless you are a student of tunnel walls…….

That said Connaught tunnel is interesting, here’s a link explaining more:

https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the-connaught-tunnel-then-and-now-8281/

 

[Non Multi]

How long spend checking out cross Rail, a few hours or most of day?, can i look around most of it in a few hours, or would it take most of the day?

I'd do a day trip to look around the stations at a leisurely pace. From looking at the construction plans they're vast. Wear comfortable shoes, bring lunch if you don't want to pay central London prices. If you just want to ride the trains back and forth, buy a paper Travelcard to avoid getting a bunch of £££ 'maximum fares' with contactless.

Which stations are most interesting to look around, and architecturally interesting etc?

The stations in the core have large public artworks, some are more noticeable than others. If you have an interest in contemporary art or architecture they'll be worth looking around. If it's a special trip to see them all, perhaps wait until Bond Street opens in a few months. There's also a very pleasant roof garden at the top level of Canary Wharf station.
Crossrail project - Art on Crossrail
Crossrail project - artworks (featuring the planned designs): Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Newham Wall.
Flickr albums - Crossrail Project
Flickr album - Crossrail Project 'Integrating Art & Architecture'
Finished Farringdon artwork: https://www.flickr.com/photos/crossrailpress/51321278723
YouTube playlist - The Elizabeth Line: Design and Architecture [11 videos]