"Han Monsees" wrote in message
news
The trains have been build to fit in the usual Continental profile. The
comfort doesn't suffer too much, especially in the newest trains that are
used in Intercity services.
I guess using doubledecker trains is way cheaper than making trains (and
platforms) longer of running more trains.

The problem is that Crossrail is *not* planned to operate on entirely
purpose-built infrastructure. The only new construction will be the tunnels
across Central London. Therefore any stock built for the system must be
built to the existing British loading gauge (in exactly the same way that
the Eurostar stock has been). Conversion of, for example, the section of the
Great Eastern main line between Stratford and Shenfield (one of the eastern
limbs of Crossrail) to Continental loading gauge would be astronomical in
cost.

Running double-deck trains within the existing British loading gauge has
already been proven to be a failure. Two four-car double-deck trains were
built by the Southern Railway and used on the Dartford suburban lines until
the early 1970s. They were *extremely* cramped and unpleasant to travel in,
even for passengers in the 1940s. Bear in mind that the average Briton has
increased in height and girth significantly in the last sixty years and the
idea is a non-starter.