Line upgrade

For years now some central stations have been restricting entry at peak times - basically when the platforms below are not clearing quickly - with increased risk of passengers stuck on the platform being crushed or worse still falling onto the tracks.

I am surprised that HSE has not picked up on this - do they really need to await fatalities to step in and say enough - fix X or stop calling at the station? I fear that TFL have got away with it for too long now and yet is is probably only HSE who can get TFL to prioritize significant station rebuilds to permit safe passenger flows.

Doubtless a lot more connecting passageways will need to be threaded in between existing services etc with the objective of fully segregating entry/exit (and ideally interchange) passenger flows on all these central area stations. Importantly they need to position these new passages to dissipate access to platforms along the full length of the train. Only then will platform dwell time reduce sufficiently to justify spend on increased frequency.

TFL really need to be putting out tenders now for contractors to design and deliver a rolling program where one station at a time is completely closed with clear signage for visitors to alternates. Then platforms would be walled off with temporary hoardings to allow major changes to the platform to be carried out rapidly whilst trains pass through non-stop.

Whilst you might be tempted to start work on the most problematic station - there might be a case to start by tackling one of the easier stations. This would allow the contractor to devise and refine working practices in order to minimise the time needed to tackle the more problematic stations.

The Victoria Line was upgraded in the same way from 27tph to 36tph. Have you noticed how much more space that allowed for passengers? Probably not, as demand seems to increase to match the supply provided. The same happens with new roads. The new Picc trains will allow the current 24tph to jump to 27tph, but 30tph will need costly resignalling, which will then allow 33 or 36tph with a further train build. If there is more space on the Picc, then probably some Vic line passengers will transfer to take a different route to their destination. The population continues to grow, all needing to get between work and home. The Elizabeth line provides a brand-new route through the central area and seemed to fill in no time!

Following the thread I made about the signal failures on the Piccadilly, apologies if this has been asked already but what is the status of the resignalling? The previous commissioner for London Transport said it would be 'mad to introduce the new trains without new signalling'

Agreement on Government funding of capital improvements has yet to be made beyond March 2024. Last agreement was made August 2022, so this one is later. As funding becomes less than six months, this will affect long-term projects and letting of new contracts. A stop-go-stop approach to the future of TfL. There is only hope of a longer-term agreement as other public transport operators have.

As have all those since Covid required Government support. Doesn't seem to have made much difference so far!

I notice in Underground News July 2024 that the 1972 tube stock tour of the Picc Line, as substitute for the Track Recording Train, could not run to Heathrow Terminal 5 since both sidings are too short. Presumably this is on the list for modification before the first of the 2024 pre-production trains arrives any time now, since they are of similar length. Will this involve moving the arrestors at the end of each, or is it more involved than that?

Presume closure west of Rayners Lane is due to stock shortage with Cockfosters depot isolated. Have we more specific details of the work being done, e.g. which point being renewed? When does the first new train arrive on LU metals, and where for its first trials?

A quick update - which those following the PLU (Piccadilly Line Upgrade) will already know:

The first train is expected to arrive on LU metals for testing, later this year. The aim is to get the first train in passenger service by 2025, as planned.

* No description of what. I'm sure Tom can shed more light?

It's a very brief overview of the current works. 

I believe this is the case between North Ealing and South Harrow

In the past 33 1/3 Hz track circuits & 10 kHz deltas were considered high risk to "noise" affects from AC traction packages - not sure of the extent of these on the Picc line & progress with the conversions. If Nth Ealing - South Harrow is 33 1/3 this complicates transfer of the new stock + the transfer of the refurbished Central line 92 stock.

125 hz track circuits & the Siemens JTC tracks & ATP code system (circa 5 khz) were considered not vulnerable to the Chopper frequency range used by current AC motor controls (and associated current fluctuations in the traction rails).

Delta replacement is already complete, but the track circuit conversion is still to take place.


I think there might be one or two outstanding mods - there was talk of the last remaining electro-pneumatic shunt signal being converted to Fibre Optic, but other than that, I'm not sure. It could be related to immunisation.

Depends what you compare it to. A lot cheaper than trying to make the new rolling stock fully compatible with 33Hz signalling when you consider whole life costs.