We’ve been waiting for a bloody long time, but the new Piccadilly line trains are almost here. Inside, the walk-through trains are going to have air-conditioning, electronic screens and a brand new moquette. But what about what they won’t have?
Transport blog CLondoner92 has done an investigation to find out exactly what the new Piccadilly line trains will be missing.
Information gleaned from a Freedom of Information request carried out by CLondoner92 discovered that the new trains will not have luggage racks or Platform Screen/Edge Doors (like those on the Jubilee and Elizabeth lines).
‘No provision has been made for luggage racks in the new trains. Multi-purpose areas have been included in the vehicles, with Tip-up seating, to provide floor space for luggage and pushchairs to reduce obstructions,’ TfL wrote in response to the FOI.
The new Piccadilly line trains will also not be totally driverless. ‘TfL has no plans to introduce driverless operation on the London Underground network,’ TfL wrote. ‘The new trains are equipped with a driving cab for manual operation or automatic operation in the future with a Train Operator in the cab, as we have now on other London Underground lines, when we come to replace the signalling on the Piccadilly line.’
If you’re after even more details about the navy blue line’s new trains, CLondoner92 also revealed that the new trains will work on current signalling systems, the same model stock will not be rolled out Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City lines, and there are currently no plans to upgrade stock on the Jubilee, Northern and Victoria lines. You can read more on the blog itself here.
This Piccadilly line station will be partially closed until the end of November.
Plus: the Bakerloo line’s new trains finally have an estimated arrival date.
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