5 facts to know about Crossrail: First glimpse of the Elizabeth Line ahead of its May 24 opening

It felt like stepping into the future. After more than three years of delays and wrangling over budgets, the Elizabeth Line has finally arrived in London - and it’s every inch as impressive as I’d hoped. The journey from concept to construction has been long and arduous for Transport for London (TfL), the Greater London Authority and Londoners themselves. The opening also comes at a time of acute political difficulty for TfL, who are locked in a funding standoff with ministers and facing the closure of other services if a deal is not agreed. Descending the escalator into the cathedral-like space that is Paddington Station, concerns over the expense of the project and its chaotic timeline melt away. This is a first-class transport experience; the likes of which Britain has never seen before.