Piccadilly line standard stock

Information from Brian Hardy's "Underground Train File". During its twelve year production run from 1922 to 1934 the so-called "standard" stock design underwent many changes. Although cars could be swapped between lines, the Piccadilly's fleet was largely made up of two batches, the first being built in 1927/28 to replace Gate stock, the later being from 1931 to expand the fleet ready for the extensions to Cockfosters, Hounslow and Uxbridge. The two types were of course both used throughout the line.

The 1928 motor cars were the first "Standard" Stock motor cars to not have the central pillars, but the trailers stillnever had them. The 1931 fleet had no central pillars, and also were the first to have end doors in the trailers. The vehicles which went to the Isle of Wight included examples of both types.

Edited to correct a misreading of Hardy's book

They were effectively two single doors, without stand-back areas. People stood either side of the open doors against the glass screens, and then another would attempt to hide behind the central pillar! It was just possible for a single file to pass through either single doorway.

It was only the Driving motor cars from 1923-28 which had the centre door pillar which it was believed to provide essential structural support to the car body due to the large weight from the equipment compartment. As said the last 20 cars of the UCC 1928 batch was provided without a centre door pillar and it was omitted from the subsequent 1929 stocks and beyond.

The trailers and control trailers never had centre door pillars but the previous 1920 stock built by Cammel Laird did. These were moved to the Bakerloo in the 1930s as they were unsuitable for outdoor working and five cars were converted to a mobile instruction train after the war.

The 1920 Cammell Laird stock as mentioned above. Pictures at the bottom of the linked article.


www.lurs.org.uk/UN85X%20JAN(2)%201969.pdf