New tubes to take inspiration from Elizabeth Line and ‘transform commuter journeys’ with air conditioning

Transport for London (TfL) is to start testing its new tube trains. Officials have outlined what these will look like as they “transform” commuter journeys.

The new stock is just one part of a £2.9 billion upgrade of the dark blue route. Up to 80% of the new trains will be built in the UK at Siemens Mobility’s new manufacturing facility in Goole, Yorkshire.

The new carriages will be open, similar to those on the Elizabeth line, and will have wider doors, all double. Officials say these will help customers get on and off more easily.

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In addition, the new stock will have “enhanced” digital screens displaying customer information, as well as on-train CCTV cameras for added customer security. In addition, the new trains, for the first time on a Deep Tube train, offer air conditioning.

This will be welcome news to many customers. However, last year TfL outlined how this would be done slightly differently.

Responding to a Freedom of Information request, a case officer said: “The system uses vapor compression refrigeration with temperature control but without the humidity control that is usually provided in buildings. Strictly speaking, this is an “air-cooled” system, however this type of system is widely referred to as an “air-conditioning” system when referring to trains and other mobile applications such as cars.

Bosses also said the state-of-the-art carriages will increase capacity on the line by 10%, while also improving energy efficiency and accessibility.

Line closures to test new stock

Bosses confirmed today (Tuesday, July 23) when the closures will take place to allow “essential track and platform upgrades” to be completed ahead of the Piccadilly line’s first new test train arriving later this year. Weekend partial closures on the Piccadilly line in July and August will be followed by a 16-day partial closure from Saturday 17 August to Sunday 1 September (Wood Green to Cockfosters and Rayners Lane to Uxbridge).

A reduced service is expected on other parts of the Piccadilly line due to the unavailability of trains at this time. Interrail buses will serve all stations between Wood Green and Cockfosters, although bosses have advised customers traveling into central London that they may find it quicker to use local bus services to connect to alternative Tube and rail stations nearby. Customers using Piccadilly line services to Uxbridge have been urged to change at Rayners Lane for the Metropolitan line.

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