Less tape on cabs

Anti graffiti doesn't mean it stops graffiti, just means it can be cleaned up easier.

It's a sacrificial film in the train livery, which will protect the actual surface. If damaged by graffiti, scratching or acid, it can be pealed off and replaced quickly with new.
Thus trying to maintain the train without a damaged look.
I don't believe it has any repellent qualities.

Quote from the TFL Website (If you can't find it then look harder)...

"More comfortable and reliable trains

It's now time for a makeover. So we're refreshing the entire fleet of 85 trains, so you can look forward to a more comfortable journey in brighter surroundings.

As seats on the Underground normally only last around seven years, we plan to replace all seat backs and pads across the line's 25,000 seats and sitting perches.

These new seats will not only be more comfortable, they will also look good as we're covering them with a new fabric that will be used across all Tube lines in future.

Work has also begun on replacing train windows. At the moment, they take eight hours to replace and require testing every 90 days. As our new windows are bolted, not bonded, into place, they only take an hour to change and it also reduces the risk of them coming loose or letting in rain water.

While we're carrying out this work, we plan to replace around 250 body panels at the end of carriages. Together with new windows and seats, this will give a fresh, new look to trains across the line.

We'll be introducing these changes over the coming months, with all work completed by May 2012 - ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

We're refreshing two trains every week, and it's all planned very carefully to ensure there is no disruption to your service as a result of this work."

I like how they don't mention the £150 million spent (was it) on bogies and other essential kit underneath the train but they can show off their shiny washed light bulbs and new fabric.

Then again...most punters wouldn't really care.

I can at least however relate to the loose windows, saw a 92ts the other day and the window was moving.

That's enough evidence to call it a refurbishment, in my opinion.

The official line from the project people is "refresh". Whatever ;D ;D

The upgrade does not constitute a refurb as It would have to comply with disability discrimination rules. An example would be the D Stock. All that's really happening to the Central isn't even a refresh. It just a couple of average mods, the change of seats and the better sealing. They are re-doing windows on the Bakerloo but you don't hear as much about that....

They've gone as far as modifying the gearbox and wheel housing frames. Replacing body panels and replacing the end panels of all 92's (which if I'm not mistaken hasn't commended).

It's like moving the entire body of the train and sitting it on a different axle or a subframe.

Still missing a good scrub on the dirty beige walls.

How many olympics guests will be using the bakerloo compared to the central though?
When some host cities push through new metro lines when hosting the olympics or similar events... What do we acheive? an extended tramline and some new seats... byr we better shout about it in case people think we've done nothing at all...

(nb i am being slightly simplistic)

It's called *laminating* and it's done it specially heated train sheds. All rather piece meal it seems. Bits done here, bits done there. Laminated sides, but the cab ends still as grotty as ever. New car ends on still to be done cars that need new window frames. I saw a train yesterday with a new, or it could of been laminated cab end. Looked like new. One problem that the laminate causes is water is somehow forced into the cars as a train goes through the wash, leaving puddles of water on the floor. So notices are put in the cabs saying -"Laminated Train - Do Not Wash". Still what is done looks very nice. It's difficult to tell from a distance that it's film. It's just a pity it's done one bit here, one bit there and so on..............

Bet that makes something of a difference in look. Any pics out there?

Auxset - I saw one of those notices in the cab when I picked up my first half on Thursday, couldn't see any evidence when I changed ends but you could tell that instructions were being obeyed, the train was filthy.

nick0323 - nothing can be done cheaply on LUL, they try to do it as cheaply as they can and when it doesn't work it then costs three times as much to make it work as it would have had they'd done it at the proper cost to begin with.

Are they going to paint/stick grey back on these?

The difference is other cities don't already have ample transport links around the olympic village. We do, therefore little need for new metro lines.

Do not wash (no change there then, surely?) www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6549543431/in/photostream

More red front www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6549618565/in/photostream

www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/6549571657/in/photostream