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First New Piccadilly Line Test Train Delivered in London

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First New Piccadilly Line Test Train Delivered in London

The first new Piccadilly line train has arrived in London, marking the beginning of a rigorous testing programme before the fleet enters service.

These new, part of a 2.9 billion GBP modernisation project, will start operations by the end of 2025, with all 94 trains expected to be rolled out by the end of 2027.

First new Piccadilly line test train arrives in London

© Transport for London

Transport for London (TfL) received the train after it travelled approximately 400 miles from Siemens Mobility’s test track in Wildenrath, Germany.

The train was pulled to London via the Channel Tunnel and will now undergo a series of commissioning activities and integration testing to ensure compatibility with the infrastructure on the Piccadilly line.

Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility, said:

“I’m delighted that the first new Piccadilly line train has arrived in London for testing, an exciting milestone made possible by the great partnership between Siemens Mobility and TfL. With 80 percent of the new Piccadilly line trains being assembled in our new state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole, Siemens Mobility and TfL are working together to back British jobs and transform rail travel in the capital.”

The new trains, designed to replace the nearly 50-year-old fleet, will offer improved capacity, energy efficiency, and comfort for passengers. Featuring nine walk-through carriages, air-conditioning (a first for Deep Tube trains), wider doorways, digital information screens, and CCTV cameras, the trains are expected to enhance the travel experience for millions of customers.

These trains will also consume 20% less energy than the current fleet, contributing to a more sustainable transport system.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“It’s an exciting moment for London as testing begins on the new Piccadilly line trains. These state-of-the-art trains – most of which will be manufactured here in the UK – will be more spacious, equipped with CCTV cameras and, for the first time ever in a Deep Tube train, air-conditioned, to make everyone’s journeys more comfortable.

“These new trains are just one example of the work we’re doing to continue delivering the world-class transport network Londoners deserve, building a better, greener London for everyone.”

Once all the new trains are in service by the end of 2027, they will increase the frequency of trains on the Piccadilly line from 24 to 27 per hour, helping to accommodate the growing number of passengers.

In addition to the Piccadilly line upgrades, TfL is also working on plans to modernise and extend the Bakerloo line, including the replacement of its over 50-year-old fleet, which Siemens Mobility is also expected to deliver.

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