How Much? Costs And Value (2)

The media was all over the news that the first new Piccadilly Line train has gone for testing in Germany.

When first  proposed, some of the ideas were a bit far fetched …

… and just a little ugly!

What finally emerged did away with the “snout” and produced something less controversial but still distnctive.

But the train as a whole is full of new technologies and brand new design features. Before we look at the train itself here is a video by Geoff Marshall. It is from the past, but includes a meeting with Mr Khan, mega Metro Mayor of the Metropolis. It is a bit longer than fbb’s usual video download, but well worth a watch.

The idea, then, is that these trains become the new standard for the Underground, with stock for the Bakerloo and Central line following on from the Piccadilly order.

But Mr Khan needs the Government to pay the bill – and it is a huuuuge bill.

Transport for London estimates that the total cost of the Piccadilly line project as £2.9 billion. But you can bet your bottom £1 billion that it will be more by the time it is finished. If you add in the other lines, it does make the Lyon project look like small change!

What will London get for its money?

There will be a lot of work to ensure better platform height to allow easy wheelchair access; including ramps where lifting the platform is impractical.

There is to be a major upgrade of depots …

… and storage sidings. Depots will be more environmentally sustainable.

But it is the new trains, arriving from 2025, that have hit the headlines. Announcements suggested that they would be “articulated” which fbb interpreted as shared bogies at each coach end. Not so, old fellow!

Five of the nine carriages will have a bogie at both ends, just like any other conventional Underground train. Four of the carriages will be “suspended” between the ends of the normal sections. You can spot the set-up in the photo below.

Once inside, you will be able to look down the whole length of the nine car tube. It would have to be an uncharacteristically empty train to see all the way. 

The above is only a mock-up.

As usual with a new production run of trains, a new seat covering moquette has been designed.

The design, we are told, includes allusions to Piccadilly line stations designed by the great Charles Holden.  Apparently, parts of Southgate station are referenced.

And it is still there today …

… with the “thing” on the top!

Many of the line’s northern extension stations were designed by Mr Holden and they are well worth a visit.

But the big development for the new trains is the provision of air conditioning – the very first on a deep level London tube train. All the gubbins is hidden under and over the carriage body, so there is nothing to see; but, assuming that it works, what you won’t see is sweaty, exhausted commuters desperate to escape from the entirely free of charge sauna!

So good news all round!

A question for Mr Kham. When do we expect these new trains for the Central and Bakerloo lines?

This was a TfL statement in 2015.

Late 2020s? BUT …

But when will that be?

The Piccadilly line is already THREE years overdue, so …

This was the “London List” web site in 2021.