Elizabeth line: Paw-fect pooches pictured enjoying London’s newest rail route on opening day

“All aboard the first train from Abbey Woof! Strong canine showing for today’s Elizabeth line launch.”

Canine customers have been snapped enjoying a ride on the newly-launched Elizabeth Line.

London’s long-awaited newest Tube line has finally opened to passengers - four years late and £3bn over budget.

Pepper enjoying a ride on the Elizabeth line. Photo:  Craig Rowleyplaceholder image
Pepper enjoying a ride on the Elizabeth line. Photo: Craig Rowley | Craig Rowley

Human train fans queued up from the early hours to nab a seat on the first Crossrail train across the capital this morning (Tuesday, May 24).

And some were even accompanied by their pets, with a series of adorable photos marking the occasion.

Sadiq Khan shared snaps of customers riding with their pets. Photo: via Mayor of Londonplaceholder image
Sadiq Khan shared snaps of customers riding with their pets. Photo: via Mayor of London | Photo: via Mayor of London

At just after 7am, Chris Lovitt, a deputy public health director from Tower Hamlets, shared a snap of his pooch Reggie.

The rescue spaniel from Bosnia, now “living his best life” in London, was pictured by the entrance to the station, along with his proud owner.

Chris Lovitt with his pup Reggie. Photo: Chris Lovittplaceholder image
Chris Lovitt with his pup Reggie. Photo: Chris Lovitt | Photo: Chris Lovitt

Chris tweeted: “And the very first dog on an Elizabeth line- Reggie of course!”

The new line was officially opened by the Queen, along with Prince Edward, prime minister Boris Johnson, transport secretary Grant Shapps and London mayor Sadiq Khan, last week.

Pepper wore a purple collar matching the Elizabeth line colour. Photo: Craig Rowleyplaceholder image
Pepper wore a purple collar matching the Elizabeth line colour. Photo: Craig Rowley | Craig Rowley

Railway fan Craig Rowley took his dog Pepper for an early morning trip decked out in a commemorative purple collar.

Their early wake-up at 4.30am succeeded in making the well-dressed mutt one of the first pup passengers on the new line.

Reggie is a rescue spaniel from Bosnia. Photo: Chris Lovittplaceholder image
Reggie is a rescue spaniel from Bosnia. Photo: Chris Lovitt | Chris Lovitt

“Pepper taking her spot in history,” he said.

Transport writer Pete Nilsen shared a snap of a fellow passenger’s pet, commenting: “This may well be the first dog on the Elizabeth line @TfL.”

TfL allows people to bring dogs on board on leashes or in crates. Pictured, Dougie. Photo: @King_Ouf_I via Mayor of Londonplaceholder image
TfL allows people to bring dogs on board on leashes or in crates. Pictured, Dougie. Photo: @King_Ouf_I via Mayor of London | Photo: via Mayor of London

Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also boarded the first 6.30am Elizabeth Line service, joked: “All aboard the first train from Abbey Woof!

“Strong canine showing for today’s Elizabeth line launch.”

Another pup along for the ride. Photo: Pete Nilson/@FutureRail_Magplaceholder image
Another pup along for the ride. Photo: Pete Nilson/@FutureRail_Mag | Photo: Pete Nilson/@FutureRail_Mag

And he shared a series of photos of three very well-behaved pets.

While TfL staff also posted and retweeted photos of dogs on the underground to their social media feeds.

Craig described Pepper as “unimpressed” by the new Tube line. Photo: Craig Rowleyplaceholder image
Craig described Pepper as “unimpressed” by the new Tube line. Photo: Craig Rowley | Photo: Craig Rowley

Transport for London (TfL) rules allow passengers to bring dogs - and other well-behaved animals on the underground, as long as they are kept on leashes or in crates.

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