London Underground 2024 Stock

In the late 1990s, the Labour government initiated a public–private partnership (PPP) to reverse years of underinvestment in London Underground.{{Cite news |date=16 December 2000 |title=New blow to Tube sell-off plan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/1072193.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202040214/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/1072193.stm |archive-date=2 December 2020 |access-date=7 March 2021 |work=BBC News}} Under the PPP contracts, two private consortiums (Metronet and Tube Lines) would maintain, renew and upgrade London Underground infrastructure over a period of 30 years from 2003.{{Cite news |date=4 April 2003 |title=Final stamp on Tube PPP deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2917859.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820131134/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2917859.stm |archive-date=20 August 2021 |access-date=7 March 2021 |work=BBC News}} As part of the upgrade work, new rolling stock was to be ordered.{{Cite web |date=2005 |title=Metronet Brochure 2005 |url=http://www.metronetrail.com/webfiles/Publications/Brochure%202005.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031091812/http://www.metronetrail.com/webfiles/Publications/Brochure%202005.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2006 |access-date=7 March 2021 |publisher=Metronet (British infrastructure company)}}{{Cite press release |title=Details of Tube modernisation plans unveiled |date=8 January 2003 |publisher=Tube Lines |url=http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200602/20030108.aspx |access-date=8 March 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519094016/http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200602/20030108.aspx |archive-date=19 May 2006}}

Tube Lines planned to order 93 new Piccadilly line trains, which would enter service by 2014. In January 2007, Tube Lines started the procurement process, by asking whether train manufacturers would be interested in supplying them.{{Cite press release |title=Tube Lines invites expressions of interest from manufacturers for new Piccadilly line trains |date=15 January 2007 |publisher=Tube Lines |url=http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200701/20070115.aspx |access-date=16 June 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224092920/http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200701/20070115.aspx |archive-date=24 February 2009}} Contract award was anticipated for 2008, with trains to enter service in 2014. Following the delivery of 2009 Stock and S Stock trains in the 2010s, Metronet planned to order 24 new Bakerloo line trains, which would enter service by 2019.

However, Metronet was placed in administration in 2007 after cost overruns,{{Cite news |date=18 July 2007 |title=Metronet calls in administrators |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6903977.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301093920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6903977.stm |archive-date=1 March 2021 |access-date=7 March 2021 |work=BBC News}} then Transport for London (TfL) subsequently bought out the Tube Lines consortium in 2010, formally ending the PPP.{{Cite news |date=8 May 2010 |title=Tube maintenance back 'in house' as new deal is signed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8669823.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418155150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8669823.stm |archive-date=18 April 2015 |access-date=9 May 2010 |work=BBC News}}

Following the return to public ownership, TfL began planning the modernisation of underground lines not started by the PPP. This project would include the eventual replacement of trains, new signalling and other upgrades to the Piccadilly, Central, Waterloo & City and Bakerloo lines.{{Cite web |date=October 2014 |title=New Tube for London - Feasibility Report |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/ntfl-feasibility-report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325023510/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/ntfl-feasibility-report.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2022 |website=Transport for London}} This would complete the modernisation of Underground lines started with the formation of TfL in 2000.{{Cite web |date=16 May 2018 |title=Deep Tube Upgrade Programme – Piccadilly line Upgrade Stage 1: Rolling stock replacement |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-20180516-item08-deep-tube-update.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513093000/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-20180516-item08-deep-tube-update.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |website=Transport for London}}

In 2017, TfL said that existing trains on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines were approaching the end of their useful lives, and the 1992 Stock used on the Central and Waterloo & City lines was significantly less reliable than more modern rolling stock.{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=John |date=January 2017 |title=LU Train reliability |url=https://www.lurs.org.uk/02%20nov%2017%20LU%20TRAIN%20RELIABILITY.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026104230/https://www.lurs.org.uk/02%20nov%2017%20LU%20TRAIN%20RELIABILITY.pdf |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021}}

Replacement of these older trains with open gangway rolling stock – similar to the S Stock used on the Underground's subsurface lines – would increase passenger capacity, with new automatic signalling increasing capacity further. Although the use of open gangways was considered in the late 1990s,{{Cite news |last=Hope |first=Richard |date=1 August 1998 |title=Space Train to boost Tube capacity |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/space-train-to-boost-tube-capacity/30120.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615212441/https://www.railwaygazette.com/space-train-to-boost-tube-capacity/30120.article |archive-date=15 June 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London}} the Bombardier built 2009 Stock did not have open gangways. New trains would also have air conditioning, which earlier deep-level trains lacked.

In 2011, Siemens presented "EVO" – a conceptual articulated train with walk-through cars, that would be 30{{nbsp}}tonnes lighter, consume 17 per cent less energy and have 11 per cent more passenger capacity than existing trains.{{Cite web |title=Siemens Inspiro London |url=https://www.atlanticdesign.uk.com/inspiro-london |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019001213/https://www.atlanticdesign.uk.com/inspiro-london |archive-date=19 October 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |website=Atlantic Design}}{{Cite news |last=Connor |first=Piers |date=January 2013 |title=Deep tube transformation |work=Modern Railways |pages=44–47}}{{Cite news |date=20 June 2011 |title=Siemens unveils London Underground concept train |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/siemens-unveils-london-underground-concept-train.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624080149/http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/siemens-unveils-london-underground-concept-train.html |archive-date=24 June 2011 |access-date=3 April 2014 |work=Railway Gazette International |location=London}} A mock-up of the Siemens Inspiro design was exhibited at The Crystal between October 2013 and January 2014. Siemens also proposed building the new train in the UK, after being criticised for building the {{brc|700}} Thameslink trains in Germany.{{Cite news |date=8 June 2016 |title=The Tube of the future? £1m per carriage Inspiro train concept is unveiled |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/the-tube-of-the-future-ps1m-per-carriage-inspiro-train-concept-is-unveiled-for-london-underground-8858546.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325023549/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/the-tube-of-the-future-ps1m-per-carriage-inspiro-train-concept-is-unveiled-for-london-underground-8858546.html |archive-date=25 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Evening Standard |location=London |quote=with a hint to the mayor that if he placed an order for one of the new trains for the Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Central lines it would be fulfilled in the UK. Siemens controversially manufactured the £1bn-plus Thameslink train order from the Government in its native Germany.}}

New trains would have the potential to operate automatically without a driver, which would save operating costs and prevent disruption during strikes.{{Cite news |last=Beard |first=Matthew |date=9 October 2014 |title=Revealed: Inside the new 'driverless' Tube trains to be phased in on London Underground from 2022 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/living-room-comfort-inside-new-trains-unveiled-ps16bn-tube-upgrade-9783911.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923120534/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/living-room-comfort-inside-new-trains-unveiled-ps16bn-tube-upgrade-9783911.html |archive-date=23 September 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Evening Standard |location=London |quote=A driver's cab will be incorporated into the initial roll-out but the train design makes it possible for these to be removed, creating London's first driverless Tube train, though probably not until 2030.}}{{Cite web |date=4 August 2022 |title='The future's driverless', says Transport Secretary as Tube deal drags on |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-08-04/the-futures-driverless-says-transport-secretary-as-tube-deal-drags-on |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103043945/https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-08-04/the-futures-driverless-says-transport-secretary-as-tube-deal-drags-on |archive-date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=ITV News |quote=London Underground trains won't need drivers in years to come meaning fewer frustrating strikes for commuters, according to the Transport Secretary.}} This unattended train operation is claimed to require the installation of platform screen doors, a substantial additional cost. The ASLEF and RMT trade unions that represent drivers strongly oppose the introduction of driverless trains, saying it would affect safety.{{Cite news |date=28 February 2014 |title=Driverless Tube trains: Unions vow 'war' over plan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26381175 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430092816/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26381175 |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=3 April 2014 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=16 February 2014 |title=Driverless trains 'not going to happen' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-26216489 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525060704/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-26216489 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=BBC News}}

In 2020, a leaked TfL study found that the upgrade work required for totally unattended train operation – platform screen doors at stations and a safety walkway in tunnels – would cost around £7{{nbsp}}billion, concluding that "the financial payback is negative".{{Cite web |last=Bull |first=John |date=1 June 2021 |title=The Political Myth of the Driverless Tube Train |url=https://www.londonreconnections.com/2021/the-political-myth-of-the-driverless-tube-train/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103112805/https://www.londonreconnections.com/2021/the-political-myth-of-the-driverless-tube-train/ |archive-date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=London Reconnections}} The study also indicated that automatically driven trains with a member of staff present on board (similar to the Docklands Light Railway) offered "reasonable value for money."{{Cite news |date=26 October 2020 |title=Driverless trains 'poor value' says leaked TfL study |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54691889 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103081021/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-54691889 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022 |work=BBC News}} However, the Department for Transport pushed for the introduction of driverless trains as a precondition of any future long-term funding deal for TfL.{{Cite web |last=Salisbury |first=Josh |date=3 March 2022 |title=TfL 'told it must embrace driverless trains for funding deal' |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-tube-strike-tfl-driverless-trains-b985785.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103112803/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-tube-strike-tfl-driverless-trains-b985785.html |archive-date=3 November 2022 |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=Evening Standard |location=London}} In 2024, the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed that plans to introduce driverless trains in London would "progress no further".{{Cite web |date=3 December 2024 |title=London Underground: No driverless Tubes, mayor says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cre7jz1ej50o |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=BBC News}}

File:Siemens-Inspiro-Tube-Train-Mock-Up-S2170011 (42124127184).jpg

In early 2014, the project was named New Tube for London (NTfL) and moved from a feasibility stage to the design and specification stage. A TfL feasibility study showed that new generation trains and re-signalling could increase capacity:

Overall, the project is estimated to cost a total of £16{{nbsp}}billion, with a benefit/cost ratio of 4.2 to 1.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2014 |title=The 'New Tube for London' |url=https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-new-tube-for-london |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122121955/https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/the-new-tube-for-london |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |website=www.railtechnologymagazine.com}} The Piccadilly line would be the first to be upgraded, given the age of its rolling stock.{{Cite web |date=13 November 2014 |title=Rail and Underground Panel Item 6: New Tube for London |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/rup-20141113-part-1-item06-new-tube-for-london.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922120827/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/rup-20141113-part-1-item06-new-tube-for-london.pdf |archive-date=22 September 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |website=Transport for London}} Other lines would then be upgraded over a period of around ten years.

In early 2014, TfL invited train manufacturers to make expressions of interest in the Official Journal of the European Union.{{Cite web |date=5 February 2014 |title=New Tube for London Programme |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/board-20140205-part-1-item10-new-tube-for-london.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407072018/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/board-20140205-part-1-item10-new-tube-for-london.pdf |archive-date=7 April 2014 |access-date=3 April 2014 |website=Board Minutes |publisher=Transport for London}}{{Cite news |date=28 February 2014 |title=New Tube for London Programme |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/london-underground-starts-new-tube-for-london-train-procurement.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310012844/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/london-underground-starts-new-tube-for-london-train-procurement.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 |access-date=3 April 2014 |work=Railway Gazette International}} TfL also commissioned industrial designers PriestmanGoode to produce a conceptual design to be used by the train manufacturers.{{Cite news |last=Acharya |first=Dipal |date=23 October 2014 |title=Tunnel Vision: meet the team that are 'future-proofing' London's tubes |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/tunnel-vision-meet-the-team-that-are-futureproofing-london-s-tubes-9811920.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314173526/http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/tunnel-vision-meet-the-team-that-are-futureproofing-london-s-tubes-9811920.html |archive-date=14 March 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=Evening Standard |location=London}}{{Cite web |title=New Tube for London |url=https://www.priestmangoode.com/project/new-tube-london-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227211211/https://www.priestmangoode.com/project/new-tube-london-2/ |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=PriestmanGoode}}{{cite AV media |title=The New Tube for London |date=9 October 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Q0FZUKHkY |access-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124031806/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Q0FZUKHkY |archive-date=24 January 2021 |url-status=live |publisher=Transport for London}} Unveiled in October 2014 to high acclaim,{{Cite web |date=9 October 2014 |title=Priestmangoode's driverless tube train designs for London Underground |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2014/10/09/priestmangoode-driverless-tube-trains-london-underground/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123213830/https://www.dezeen.com/2014/10/09/priestmangoode-driverless-tube-trains-london-underground/ |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=6 March 2021 |website=Dezeen}} the design included several features not seen before on the deep level tube, including walk-through carriages and air conditioning.{{Cite press release |title=Design for the 'New Tube for London' revealed |date=9 October 2014 |publisher=TfL |url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/october/design-for-the-new-tube-for-london-revealed |access-date=9 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011215748/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/october/design-for-the-new-tube-for-london-revealed |archive-date=11 October 2014}}{{Cite news |date=9 October 2014 |title=London Underground: Designs for Tube trains unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-29520761 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620102851/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-29520761 |archive-date=20 June 2021 |access-date=9 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}

In late 2014, TfL published a shortlist of manufacturers who had expressed an interest in supplying new trains – Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi, CAF and Bombardier. The invitation to tender for the trains was issued in January 2016. It was planned to award the contract in 2016, with trains entering service in 2023. During the tender period, Bombardier and Hitachi formed a joint venture (JV), and CAF chose not to submit a bid. Three bids (Alstom, Siemens, Hitachi/Bombardier JV) were submitted in September 2016. All bidders proposed to build the trains in existing or new UK factories.{{Cite news |date=7 October 2016 |title=French train firm unveils plans for £20m plant in north-west England |url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/07/french-train-firm-unveils-plans-for-20m-plant-in-north-west-england |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108130628/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/07/french-train-firm-unveils-plans-for-20m-plant-in-north-west-england |archive-date=8 November 2020 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=The Guardian |location=London}} By 2017, the project had been renamed the Deep Tube Upgrade Programme (DTUP) – in light of the signalling, power and other infrastructure improvements delivered alongside new trains.{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=John |date=2017 |title=The Deep Tube Upgrade Programme (DTUP) |url=https://www.lurs.org.uk/THE%20DEEP%20TUBE%20UPGRADE%20PROGRAMME%20.pdf |access-date=24 April 2025 |website=London Underground Railway Society}}

Since TfL could not afford 250 new trains and upgraded signalling, it decided to buy only 94 trains, for the Piccadilly line, and relegate future train purchases to contract options.{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Simon |date=3 January 2018 |title=Plan to sell part of Tube fleet branded 'quite mad' |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-01-03/plan-to-sell-part-of-london-underground-fleet-branded-quite-mad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033204/https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-01-03/plan-to-sell-part-of-london-underground-fleet-branded-quite-mad |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=6 March 2021 |work=ITV News}}{{Cite magazine |date=21 November 2019 |title=Deep Tube Programme in doubt |url=https://www.keymodernrailways.com/article/deep-tube-programme-doubt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515144424/https://www.keymodernrailways.com/article/deep-tube-programme-doubt |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |magazine=Modern Railways}} In 2019, TfL raised £1{{nbsp}}billion to buy the Piccadilly line trains by selling and leasing back {{brc|345}} Elizabeth line trains.{{Cite news |date=22 March 2019 |title=TfL awards controversial £1bn 'sale and leaseback' Crossrail fleet deal to Natwest-backed group |url=https://www.cityam.com/tfl-awards-controversial-1bn-sale-and-leaseback-crossrail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224621/https://www.cityam.com/tfl-awards-controversial-1bn-sale-and-leaseback-crossrail/ |archive-date=7 November 2020 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=City AM |location=London}}

In total, 250 trains could be ordered throughout the lifetime of the Deep Tube Upgrade Programme, comprising 100 trains for the Piccadilly line, 40 for the Bakerloo line, 100 for the Central line and ten for the Waterloo & City line.{{Cite press release |title=Siemens Mobility Limited to be awarded TfL contract to design and manufacture a new generation of Tube trains |date=15 June 2018 |publisher=Transport for London |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/june/siemens-mobility-limited-to-be-awarded-tfl-contract-to-design-and-manufacture-a-new-generation-of-tube-trains |access-date=16 June 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119104141/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2018/june/siemens-mobility-limited-to-be-awarded-tfl-contract-to-design-and-manufacture-a-new-generation-of-tube-trains |archive-date=19 January 2020}} Future trains would be adapted to meet the requirements of lines, with the potential of active steering of bogies, and different numbers of cars per trainset as required.{{Cite news |last=Dobell |first=Malcolm |date=25 June 2021 |title=Piccadilly Line trains: a journey from 1891 to 2025 |url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/piccadilly-line-trains-a-journey-from-1891-to-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008143656/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/piccadilly-line-trains-a-journey-from-1891-to-2025/ |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=8 October 2021 |work=Rail Engineer}}

In 2023, the Railway Industry Association requested that a decision to order Bakerloo line trains should be made as soon as possible, given the age of the 1972 Stock trains and to provide continuous work for the Goole factory.{{Cite web |title=The UK Rolling Stock Industry Report 2023 - New Tab |url=https://www.riagb.org.uk/RIA/Newsroom/Publications%20Folder/The%20UK%20Rolling%20Stock%20Industry.aspx |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=www.riagb.org.uk}} TfL's financial issues following the COVID-19 pandemic means that the order has not been made, with Mayor Sadiq Khan requesting investment from Government.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Simon |date=27 February 2023 |title=Bank Tube station's £700m upgrade could be London's 'last major engineering project' for a while |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-02-27/why-a-700m-upgrade-could-be-the-last-big-engineering-project-for-a-while |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=ITV News |quote=But future 'big ticket' schemes including new Bakerloo line trains ... because of Transport for London's funding problems.}}

In June 2018, the Siemens Mobility Inspiro design was selected, with 94 trains ordered in a £1.5{{nbsp}}billion contract.{{Cite magazine |date=15 June 2018 |title=Siemens to supply London Underground deep tube fleet |url=http://www.metro-report.com/news/news-by-region/europe/single-view/view/siemens-to-supply-london-underground-deep-tube-fleet.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103322/http://www.metro-report.com/news/news-by-region/europe/single-view/view/siemens-to-supply-london-underground-deep-tube-fleet.html |archive-date=16 June 2018 |access-date=16 June 2018 |magazine=Metro Report International}} In July 2018, the award was challenged, unsuccessfully, in the High Court by the Hitachi/Bombardier JV;{{Cite magazine |date=24 July 2018 |title=Bombardier and Hitachi file high court papers over London Underground contract |url=https://www.railjournal.com/index.php/metros/bombardier-and-hitachi-file-high-court-papers-over-london-underground-contract.html?channel=000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725033312/https://www.railjournal.com/index.php/metros/bombardier-and-hitachi-file-high-court-papers-over-london-underground-contract.html?channel=000 |archive-date=25 July 2018 |access-date=24 July 2018 |magazine=International Railway Journal}} Siemens was awarded the contract in November 2018.{{Cite magazine |date=20 November 2018 |title=TfL and Siemens sign £1.5bn New Tube for London contract |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/metros/1-5bn-new-tube-london-contract-signed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325025042/https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/metros/1-5bn-new-tube-london-contract-signed/ |archive-date=25 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2021 |magazine=International Railway Journal}}

TfL said that the trains would be designed and built by Siemens Mobility at its planned £200{{nbsp}}million new Goole factory in East Yorkshire,{{Cite news |date=15 June 2018 |title=East Yorkshire factory wins £1.5bn Tube train deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-44496526 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510124359/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-44496526 |archive-date=10 May 2021 |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=BBC News}} and later that 50 per cent of the trains would be built at an existing Siemens factory in Vienna, Austria, while the Goole factory was constructed.{{Cite news |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=4 March 2021 |title=First look: TfL unveils design of new Piccadilly line trains |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/design-new-piccadilly-line-trains-unveiled-tfl-b922086.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304221708/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/design-new-piccadilly-line-trains-unveiled-tfl-b922086.html |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021 |work=Evening Standard |location=London}} In July 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Goole site to mark the start of construction of the factory.{{Cite press release |title=Prime Minister marks major milestone for Siemens Mobility's Goole rail facility |date=6 July 2020 |publisher=Siemens Mobility |url=https://news.siemens.co.uk/news/prime-minister-marks-major-milestone-for-siemens-mobilitys-goole-rail-facility |access-date=6 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902062151/https://news.siemens.co.uk/news/prime-minister-marks-major-milestone-for-siemens-mobilitys-goole-rail-facility |archive-date=2 September 2020}}{{Cite news |last1=Riley |first1=Anna |last2=Laister |first2=David |date=6 July 2020 |title=PM Boris Johnson hails Goole's train-building future on site visit |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/pm-boris-johnson-goole-going-18550997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422224055/https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/pm-boris-johnson-goole-going-18550997 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |access-date=6 March 2021 |work=Business Live}} Manufacturing of the trains in Austria started in August 2021.{{Cite web |last1=Hirani |first1=Krupesh |last2=Khan |first2=Sadiq |date=5 July 2021 |title=Piccadilly line upgrade |url=https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2021/3171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818101638/https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2021/3171 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |access-date=18 August 2021 |website=Mayor's Question Time}} In January 2024, Siemens announced that the majority of the new trains, would be manufactured in Goole, 80% rather than half as initially planned.{{Cite news |date=12 February 2024 |title=Siemens' Goole factory to build more London Underground trains |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw0r7wkj847o |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=BBC News}}

Despite the lack of new signalling,{{Cite news |last=Mathewson |first=Jessie |date=9 July 2020 |title=Piccadilly line upgrade on hold amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/18571616.piccadilly-line-upgrade-hold-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929151959/https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/18571616.piccadilly-line-upgrade-hold-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/ |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=East London and West Essex Guardian |location=Watford}} the purchase of new trains will still increase the capacity of the Piccadilly line, with 27 trains per hour at peak times by 2027.{{Cite news |date=4 March 2021 |title=Piccadilly Line: Plans for new 'walk-through' trains unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-56273283 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304133822/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-56273283 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=BBC News}} Trains will enter service with a human operator on board. However, new signalling could permit driverless operation in future.

Features of the new train include:{{Cite news |date=4 March 2021 |title=Piccadilly Line: Plans for new 'walk-through' trains unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56273283 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304113710/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56273283 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite web |date=n.d. |title=Improving the Tube - What we're doing - Improving the trains |url=https://www.tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-improvements/what-we-are-doing/improving-the-trains |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208033431/https://www.tfl.gov.uk/campaign/tube-improvements/what-we-are-doing/improving-the-trains |archive-date=8 February 2017 |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=Transport for London}}{{Cite web |title=Introducing the newest edition to the world's oldest metro system |url=https://www.mobility.siemens.com/global/en/portfolio/references/metro-london.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508051750/https://www.mobility.siemens.com/global/en/portfolio/references/metro-london.html |archive-date=8 May 2022 |access-date=5 March 2021 |publisher=Siemens Mobility}}

• 10 per cent increase in passenger capacity per train due to the open gangway design
• wider double doorways throughout, with no single-width doorways, allowing for faster boarding
• 20 per cent lower energy consumption compared to existing trains due to lighter aluminium construction, regenerative brakes and LED lighting
• air conditioning, for the first time on the deep-level tube
• equipped for driverless operation once lines have been resignalled
• LED screens to provide passenger information and advertising

The trains are {{cvt|6.2|m|ft}} longer than existing Piccadilly line trains (over body ends), and are composed of nine cars instead of six.{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=David |date=12 December 2023 |title=FOI request detail 2024 Stock Figures |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-3071-2324 |website=Transport for London}} The new trains consist of two driver-motor cars on each end, a key motor car in the centre, and four shorter intermediate cars with bogies placed between each motor car. This design means that the train only has ten bogies instead of the twelve on a 1973 Stock train, giving space underneath the train to install equipment such as air conditioning. Siemens said the design was inspired by articulated trams.{{cn|date=June 2025}} There are four wheelchair spaces in each train.

Each door has a LED light strip, turning green when the doors open and red when they close. The trains are fitted with solid stick wheel flange lubricators and sanding systems.{{Cite web |last=Dobell |first=Malcolm |date=19 December 2023 |title=The new train on the Piccadilly line will arrive in 2025 |url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-new-train-on-the-piccadilly-line-will-arrive-in-2025/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=Rail Engineer}} Seats are covered with a new moquette designed by TfL, named Holden, inspired by the station architecture of Charles Holden.{{Cite web |title=Moquette sample; 'Holden' designed for the New Tube for London, to be used on the Piccadilly Line, designed by Richard Knight and Paul Marchant (TfL), 2021 |work=London Transport Museum |url=https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/collections-online/vehicle-parts/item/2024-1806 |access-date=21 June 2025}}

Initially, deliveries were to begin in 2023 and entry into service was to begin in 2024,{{Cite magazine |date=20 November 2018 |title=Siemens signs £1·5bn London Underground train contract |url=https://www.metro-report.com/news/metro/single-view/view/siemens-signs-pound15bn-london-underground-train-contract.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827161939/https://www.railwaygazette.com/47575.article |archive-date=27 August 2020 |access-date=21 November 2018 |magazine=Metro Report International}} giving the rolling stock the name of the 2024 Tube Stock.{{Cite web |date=2025-07-10 |title=Freedom of Information request - Name of new Piccadilly line trains |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1195-2526 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=Transport for London |language=en}} By March 2021, the delivery schedule had slipped: the trains were then expected to enter service on the Piccadilly line in 2025,{{Cite press release |title=TfL and Siemens Mobility unveil detailed design of new Piccadilly line trains |date=4 March 2021 |publisher=Transport for London |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/march/tfl-and-siemens-mobility-unveil-detailed-design-of-new-piccadilly-line-trains |access-date=5 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304135208/https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/march/tfl-and-siemens-mobility-unveil-detailed-design-of-new-piccadilly-line-trains |archive-date=4 March 2021}} followed by improvements to stations and service levels in 2027.

Testing of the first train commenced at the Siemens Wegberg-Wildenrath Test and Validation Centre in Germany in mid-2023.{{Cite magazine |date=24 August 2023 |title=Piccadilly progress: 2024 stock reaches Wildenrath |url=https://www.modernrailways.com/article/piccadilly-progress-2024-stock-reaches-wildenrath |access-date=17 November 2023 |website=Modern Railways}} A climate chamber was used to assess performance in different weather conditions, including temperatures from {{convert|-15|to|40|°C}}, a solar load of 600{{nbsp}}W/m², ice, and wind speeds of up to 100{{nbsp}}km/h, using a three-car formation.{{Cite web |date=16 November 2023 |title=First Siemens Mobility built Piccadilly line train put through its paces |url=https://news.siemens.co.uk/news/first-siemens-mobility-built-piccadilly-line-train-put-through-its-paces |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Siemens Mobility}}

The first train was delivered on the morning of 15 October 2024, having travelled from Germany via the Channel Tunnel.{{Cite web |title='Exciting moment' as new London Underground train arrives |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/10/exciting-moment-as-new-london-underground-train-arrives.html |access-date=18 October 2024 |website=RailAdvent}}{{Cite press release |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2024/october/first-new-piccadilly-line-test-train-arrives-in-london |publisher=Transport for London |title=First new Piccadilly line test train arrives in London |date=16 October 2024 |access-date=16 October 2024}} Testing in London was scheduled to begin in late 2024, with entry into service planned for the end of 2025. In June 2025, TfL announced that the trains would not enter service until the "second half of 2026",{{Cite web |date=20 June 2025 |title=State-of-the-art Piccadilly line trains to begin operating in 2026 |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2025/june/state-of-the-art-piccadilly-line-trains-to-begin-operating-in-2026 |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=Transport for London}} with The London Standard reporting that the delay was caused by "unexpected difficulties" when testing the train on London Underground tracks compared with the test track in Austria.{{Cite web |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=20 June 2025 |title=Exclusive: Tube hammerblow as £3billion fleet of new trains delayed by a year |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/piccadilly-line-new-trains-delayed-tfl-siemens-tube-london-underground-b1233989.html |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=The Standard}} TfL noted that all 94 trains would be in service “18 to 20 months” after the first train enters service.

In July 2025, TfL confirmed that the trains will be known as "2024 Tube Stock".{{cite web | url = https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1195-2526 | publisher = Transport for London | title = Freedom of Information request - Name of new Piccadilly line trains | date = 10 July 2025 | id = FOI-1195-2526 | access-date = 11 July 2025}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/piccadilly-line-upgrade?intcmp=67207 TfL - Piccadilly line upgrade]
• [https://www.railengineer.co.uk/piccadilly-line-trains-a-journey-from-1891-to-2025/ Piccadilly Line trains: a journey from 1891 to 2025] - detailed background on the design of the trains (Rail Engineer)

{{London Underground rolling stock}}

Category:London Underground electric multiple units

Category:Siemens multiple units

Category:Train-related introductions in 2026

2024 Stock