Tube Train Graveyard

Unless anyone knows different, I believe this is Acton Works.

After withdrawal, two 62 stock units spent some years at Northfields Depot nominally assigned to "Piccadilly Line Engineering", before moving to Acton. I don't know what, if anything, the units were used for during their time at Northfields.

Cravens are already preserving a four car unit; thats at Hainult I believe. How long have these units been sitting there?

They don't look in too bad condition actually, I've seen much worse!

They were part of the Central 2000 project... new signalling meant new stock!

So there was nothing inherently wrong with them then?

Few A stock to join them soon eh, in the Tube Train Graveyard..... (Hands tissues to metman)

Well at least they will still survive if they are there. Then if I win the lotto I can set up my own railway and use them as my fleet!!

The wires on the front were a late modification from the Kings Cross Report and carried the emergency alarm wires (rather than apply the emergency brake). High intensity headlights were also fitted.

The 62TS was built around the same time as the A stock. The A stock is still in service, but the 62TS was replaced 15 years ago, so it wasn't 'old age'.

I would expect that Tube stock wears out faster than surface stock, because of compromises from the greater design constraints and harsher environment (poor ventilation affects electric motors as well as passengers). Met trains also do less stopping and starting because of the relatively long stretches between stations - it all adds to wear and tear.

It was always the intention to replace the Central Line trains - the line was more in need of modernization than the Northern because it was the only major line still to be almost entirely controlled by local signal cabins. It wasn't economical to convert the 62 stock to ATO, likewise the modifications necessary for OPO.

There was at one time a plan to scrap the 59 stock first, and move the 62 stock to the Northern. However at the time the Northern was due to be getting the 95 stock actually in 1995, so it wasn't worth the effort given their limited life. I believe the 59 stock had also by this time had certain life-extending modifications done.

Still not worth the effort. In delivery terms, the stocks followed on from each other, so the difference in age was more on paper than real. Moving the 62 stock to the Northern would have created hassle for no real benefit. 62 stock was not "ready to run" on the Northern in any case, for a start you would have to fit PTI equipment, change destination blinds, line maps etc.

Some 62 stock did make its way to the Northern Line - to replace the 56 stock, and make up for various 59 and 72MkI units which had left the line for various reasons.

Positive Train Identification

Where the train's set number and destination are transmitted between the train and the signalling equipment/control room.

It helps to reduce the number of wrong signals being lowered.

The 62TS fleet wouldn't have been enough on its own, but if a some 59TS units were kept it would have been.
Some of the 72TS Mk1s could then have been used on other lines, like the Bakerloo, Victoria, and W&C (LU were thinking of using some on the Vic and W&C when they were replaced by 95TS). Anyway, the 83TS only lasted for 15 years.