Two more air-conditioned Piccadilly line trains arrive in London for testing

"As revealed in TfL meeting papers, the new trains are in assurance testing, which has focused on the physical interfaces between the train and the LU infrastructure. Basically, ensuring they fit into the stations and tunnels as expected. That proved a bit of a challenge earlier this year, due to the slightly different carriage lengths and some other issues, which required more adjustments than originally planned."

"Last week, they began system testing, during which TfL tests the interface with relevant railway systems that require communication with the train. The testing and trials are expected to proceed to reliability and performance testing, with the goal of enabling staff training next year. In the meantime, modifications to signalling, power and communication systems are being carried out, along with new platform infrastructure, gauging and infringement clearances and works to the depot maintenance and stabling facilities."

"TfL currently expects the first of the new trains to enter passenger service in the second half of next year, somewhat later than the expected delivery of late this year. The medium-term goal, once the entire fleet of 94 new trains is in service, will be to increase train frequency from 24 trains per hour to 27 trains per hour. Up to 80 percent of the new Piccadilly line trains will be built in the UK at Siemens Mobility's new manufacturing facility in Goole, Yorkshire."

Three new Piccadilly line trains are in London for testing and a fourth is expected shortly. Assurance testing has focused on physical interfaces with LU infrastructure to ensure fit in stations and tunnels, revealing carriage-length differences that required extra adjustments and rephasing. Initial test runs occurred in late July and during an August weekend closure. System testing has started to check train communications with railway systems, followed by reliability and performance trials aimed at enabling staff training next year. Concurrent works include signalling, power and communications modifications, platform and depot upgrades. Full fleet introduction aims to raise frequency from 24 to 27 trains per hour; up to 80% will be built in Goole.

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