All aboard! The first ever Elizabeth Line service departs Paddington Station at 6.33am

The Elizabeth Line descended into chaos today after a ‘fire alert’ at Paddington station forced the service to be part suspended – just two hours after opening to eager train enthusiasts who had queued up from midnight to be the first to experience the new £18.9bn route. 

Footage shared online showed ‘all passengers’ being ushered out of the central London station while an alarm could be heard ringing in the background. It is believed a ‘faulty fire alarm was to blame’, according to a BBC journalist at the scene. 

A team of firefighters were called to the station while the line was temporarily suspended between Paddington and Tottenham Court Road, however the service quickly resumed.  

Transport for London (TfL) told MailOnline: ‘There was a fire alert at the station earlier but it has now reopened… the line is open and services are running normally.’

It came after train buffs had travelled from as far as Hong Kong and Canada to witness the launch of the ‘game-changing’ service – which finally launched today following almost four years of delays and coming in at more than £4bn over budget.  

Fans bought special edition Elizabeth line cushions and Oyster cards as memorabilia to remember the ‘epic day’, with one simply declaring: ‘It’s history.’ 

Others branded it a ‘great achievement’ and said the chance to be among the first to ride the new line was a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity. 

Elsewhere, London Mayor Sadiq Khan the Elizbeth line was a ‘source of pride’ which would help the whole country by ‘contributing £42bn to our national economy’, adding that it had ‘already created 70,000 jobs.’

Hundreds of people had gathered behind a barrier in the rain at Paddington by 6am on Tuesday, as excitement mounted ahead of the first Elizabeth line service to Abbey Wood at 6.33am.

A huge cheer went up from the crowd of more than 500 when the gates were opened at 6.20am, with a member of staff urging people ‘please don’t run’.

People had been queuing from as early as midnight, with many paying homage to the colour of the line with purple-dyed hear, purple hoodies and face masks in the style of the Elizabeth line seat moquette. 

Those at the front who had been waiting for up to six hours rushed through into the station so they could get onto the first train at 6.33am.

Station staff only partially opened the gates to manage the crowd as they went through and into the station before going down the escalators into the cavernous terminal.

Once on the platform, people were urged to spread out by staff, with one employee acknowledging: ‘I know we all want to be at the front.’

And as the service to Abbey Wood pulled into the station, the announcer said: ‘The train is your first Elizabeth line service from Paddington to Abbey Wood.’

Transport for London commissioner Andy Byford had earlier greeted the crowds and also urged them to avoid running when the gates opened. 

Meanwhile, huge queues had also been forming at Abbey Wood, where the first train left at bang on 6.30am.  

There was a hubbub in the air at Paddington with lots of excited chatter as rail enthusiasts – including one who had flown in from Canada yesterday – spoke to the media and posed for pictures, ahead of the expected opening of the gates at 6.20am.

London mayor Sadiq Khan arrived to greet the crowds shortly after 6am, and spoke to those at the front of the queue.  He also fist bumped a child who was among those ready to be first on board.

He then spoke to three Chelsea Pensioners who joked that he looked much shorter than they had thought in real life. Six police officers monitored the scene along with a throng of station staff.

Mr Byford said a successful start would be a ‘normal day of service’ and that he hoped passengers would be ‘amazed’ by the journey.

Passenger Danny McLaren, 21, from Edinburgh, arrived at Paddington at 1.30am to make sure he was at the front of the queue.

He said: ‘We’ve known it will open for a while. It’s a brand new railway. New technology. New trains.

‘It’s an epic day to experience it when it’s brand new.’

Another passenger, Hakim Colclough, 24, from Chessington, Surrey, said: ‘This is a momentous occasion. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.’

Another passenger at Paddington, Colin Farmer, 84, from Croydon, south-east London, arrived at 4.30am.

He said: ‘It’s history. It’s about time there were trains right through London without changing to the Underground.

‘I’m very excited. We’ve been waiting long enough for it. It’s a great achievement.’

The crowd cheered and rushed forwards when the doors to Paddington Elizabeth line station opened at around 6.20am.

The first Elizabeth line train from Paddington through central London departed on time at 6.33am carrying hundreds of excited transport enthusiasts.

Another passenger, Mark Davis, 48, from Canary Wharf, south-east London, said: ‘We’ve been living with this for what feels like 10 years. We live in Canary Wharf, so it’s a game-changer.

‘It’s the air-conditioning that makes the difference.’

James Robert, 48, from Wigan, was on the train with his 11-year-old son Matthew.

Mr Robert said: ‘It’s lovely and bright and fast. I wish we had trains like this in Wigan.’

However some rail users did not have a glowing report, after claiming they were turned away for bringing their folding bike. 

One Twitter user wrote: ‘Don’t try and get on the Elizabeth Line today with a folding bike. They’re not allowed for just one day. 

‘Even the staff at the station weren’t aware of it, except the rude (probably stressed) guy at the entrance (not) letting people through. Spectacular waste of a morning!’ 

Another said: ‘So apparently  folded bikes are not allowed on the Elizabeth Line? Was turned away at Abbey Wood as the trains were too busy! Why was there no information about this if this was the case!’ 

TfL told MailOnline today: ‘Folded bikes are allowed on the Elizabeth line at any time.’ 

The opening of the long-awaited Elizabeth line in London will have benefits beyond the capital, both Boris Johnson and the city’s mayor have said.

The Prime Minister said the whole country will ‘reap the rewards’ of a predicted multibillion pound boost to the economy, as the new railway line transports passengers from Tuesday.

The delayed and overbudget line will boost capacity and cut journey times for east-west travel across the capital.

Mr Johnson said: ‘As the Elizabeth line opens to the public, we know it’s not just Londoners that will reap the rewards, but the whole country – because better transport grows the economy, levels up opportunity and creates jobs.’

The Government said the Elizabeth line project is supporting 55,000 jobs, 1,000 apprenticeships and is forecast to boost the economy by £42 billion.

Clare Cenci, 43, from Maidenhead, Berkshire travelled on an early morning Elizabeth line service from Paddington on her commute to Liverpool Street.

She said there is ‘a lot more space’ compared with Tube trains, adding: ‘The air-conditioning makes it a lot better. The Central line in the summer isn’t good.’

TfL commissioner Mr Byford said the Elizabeth line service was ‘so far so good’ and ‘on time’.

He went on: ‘The customer reaction has been amazing, just as predicted. The universal reaction is ‘wow’.’

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 outside Farringdon station this morning, Mayor Khan said the Elizabeth Line should be a ‘source of pride’ and something that helps the whole country.   

He said: ‘This line will help contribute £42bn to our national economy, it’s already created 70,000 jobs across the country. 

‘The trains were built in Derby, the station doors in Cheshire, the signage in the Isle of Wight. 

‘Some of the steel comes from Dorset. Almost two thirds of the contracts given for this fantastic new line were given around the country, which already created tens of thousands of jobs.’

The Labour politician said the line was first discussed in the 1940s before the idea was finally realised and construction began in 2009. 

He added: ‘These things take a long time but this is an amazing line, spacious, silent, speedy trains, comfortable, air conditioned. 

‘These stations in central London are cathedrals. .. it should be a source of pride for all of us. 

‘I’ve met people this morning people from Hong Kong, the Netherlands, from Germany, from America who are looking at us with envy that as we embark on this recovery, a national recovery, we have this amazing new infrastructure in our capital city, a source of pride.’ 

Ali Hussein, a 66-year-old pensioner on his morning walk, had come to Abbey Wood get his limited edition Oyster card and said he will be travelling to see his daughter and grandkids in Islington later in the day.

He said: ‘I’ve never seen anything like this around here. There are so many people, they must be here for the experience.’

Ian Palmer, 52, an estate agent in Abbey Wood said: ‘We’ve been waiting for years and were told ‘yeah, yeah it’s coming’ and now it’s finally here. It’s fantastic.

‘I work up the road and came down because this is a part of history, it’s going to be huge for the area, it’s going to be lovely. Everyone is excited, everyone is talking about it.

‘People have started getting interested in Abbey Wood. Prices have been going up ever since they announced it.

‘And this is all new development around here, it’s a couple of acres, all brand new. Hopefully we get some nice bars and restaurants in the area too. Hopefully the council invests.

‘I’m going up to Paddington later today as it’s my day off. I could even head to Whitechapel and Brick Lane to go to a few bars and then head into the West End.’

He added: ‘My mum who hasn’t got the train in years will start getting it again because of the platforms without the gaps. It’s things like that that make a difference.’

Retired John Malone, 75, who works as a school lollipop man said: ‘I’ve already been on the train, I went to Woolwich, and got the limited-edition card.’

John, who travelled with his wife added: ‘I’ve bought 12 of them for my family, they will be worth about £30, but I won’t sell mine. It’s history.

‘We’ve been waiting so long for it, it’s going to make such a difference, everyone is so excited. You wait until you get on it, you’ll be amazed.’

On the platform an announcement was made that the train to Paddington was about to leave, passengers started to clap and cheer.

The trains leave for every five minutes 06:30am – 11:00pm Monday through to Saturday.

The mayor had previously said the line’s opening would ‘provide a crucial economic boost to the whole country’.

Mr Khan, who travelled on the first train today, said: ‘Today is a historic day as the Elizabeth line opens to passengers. This is a huge moment, not just for London but the entire country, particularly in this special Jubilee year.

‘This brand new line is the most significant addition to our transport network in decades.

‘It will add billions to our economy and is set to serve up to 200 million passengers each year. I’m sure passengers will enjoy the modern trains, beautiful step-free stations and the reduced journey times across the capital and the South East.

‘The Elizabeth line is much more than just a new railway, it will provide a crucial economic boost to the whole country and help to turbo-charge our recovery from the pandemic.’

The line stretches from Reading in Berkshire and Heathrow Airport in west London to Abbey Wood in south-east London and Shenfield in Essex.

It will beginning operating in three separate sections, which are expected to be integrated in the autumn.

Transport for London (TfL) estimates that annual passenger numbers will reach 170 million by 2026.

The new central section, built by the Crossrail project, runs through tunnels from Paddington in west London to Abbey Wood.

It will initially be closed on Sundays, apart from during the Platinum Jubilee weekend, to allow further testing and software updates to take place.

Crossrail suffered numerous issues including construction difficulties and complications installing signalling systems.

It was due to be completed in December 2018 and was set a budget of £14.8 billion in 2010.

The final total cost has been estimated at £18.9 billion, including £5.1 billion from the Government.

The line is named in honour of the Queen, who visited Paddington station last week to celebrate the completion of Crossrail.

It comes after 30 iconic London landmarks were lit up in purple last night to celebrate the opening of the new Elizabeth Line today.

Landmarks including the London Eye, Tower Bridge, The Gherkin and the London Stadium were lit up in a regal purple to mark the opening of the latest Tube line, which is set to ‘revolutionise travel’ in the capital.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘The opening of the Elizabeth line tomorrow is a once in a generation moment for the capital and it is fantastic to see so many famous landmarks across our city lit up in purple in celebration of this historic day.

‘The new line will revolutionise travel in our city and across the south east and bring significant economic benefits to the whole country.’

On Twitter, the Mayor wrote with pictures of the purple landmarks: ‘Tonight: London landmarks shine bright to celebrate the opening of the Elizabeth line.

‘Tomorrow: Londoners wake up to a transformational new railway line and the biggest addition to our transport network in decades.’

Transport for London chief Andy Byford said: ‘Tomorrow will be a truly historic moment for London and beyond and I can’t wait to welcome customers onboard this magnificent addition to our public transport network.’