New Piccadilly Line trains update

A report in the Evening Standard today carried the unenthusiastic headline, "TfL chief 'hopeful and optimistic' new Piccadilly line trains will start running in a year".

Transport for London commissioner Andy Lord is reported as saying, “We have said a window between July and December next year. We are pushing hard for that, and at the minute I’m hopeful and optimistic that we will achieve that.”

The 94 new trains, were built by Siemens and assembled at a new factory in Goole, east Yorkshire. The new fleet has been purchased to replace trains that are now more than 50 years old, having first entered service in 1973.

Testing is taking place during the engineering hours period overnight during the week.
To-date, it has focussed on the physical interfaces between the train and the London Underground infrastructure.

Apparently, works continue across the Piccadilly line to enable the infrastructure and systems for the introduction of the new train. This includes modifications to signalling, power and communication systems, new platform infrastructure, gauging and infringement clearances and works to the depot maintenance and stabling facilities.

When the new trains enter service, they will be the first deep-level carriages with aircon. The new fleet should allow a slight increase in service frequency, which will increase for 24 to 27 trains per hour.

All sounds good, but ... er ... the trains are delayed.