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Inside the Factory: The New Piccadilly Line Trains
A Factory Born for the Future
In Goole, East Yorkshire, Siemens Mobility has built a state-of-the-art rail manufacturing facility—part of a larger “Rail Village”—dedicated to producing the next generation of London Underground’s Tube trains.
With an investment of around £200 million, the site is more than just a factory: it includes assembly halls, a components servicing facility, a logistics warehouse, and an innovation hub.
What’s Being Built
The main job for the Goole factory is assembling up to 80% of the new fleet of 94 Piccadilly Line trains. The rest are being initially produced in Vienna.
These are replacements for the aging 1973-stock trains, which have served for about 50 years.
What’s New: Features & Upgrades
These trains introduce a number of major improvements compared to the old stock:
• First deep-tube Tube line to have full air conditioning. Until now, deep-level Tube trains (like those on the Piccadilly) haven’t had built-in AC.
• Walk-through carriages. Passengers will be able to move between all carriages freely, improving circulation and capacity.
• Wider doors & double doors throughout. These are intended to speed up boarding and alighting, reducing dwell times at stations.
• Enhanced passenger information & safety. Digital display screens and CCTV are fitted.
• More energy-efficient & smoother ride. The lighter design, fewer bogies due to part articulation, reduces energy usage (around 20% less energy compared to the old fleet) and is expected to give a more comfortable journey.
Timeline & Testing
The first of the new trains has already arrived in London (October 2024), following extensive testing in Germany (in test tracks and climate chambers).
These new trains are expected to begin entering passenger service by end of 2025, with the full fleet in place by the end of 2027.
In parallel, the Goole factory is already up and running, producing components and beginning assembly. The facility is designed with future UK orders in mind, beyond just the Piccadilly Line.
Capacity & User Experience
• The new trains increase capacity by about 10% compared to the current Piccadilly Line stock.
• Train frequency is expected to go from 24 trains per hour to 27 trains per hour at peak times once infrastructure (signalling etc.) allows.
• Accessibility is improved with better door access, more open space, and overall a more comfortable environment.
Economic and Regional Impact
• Around 700 high-skilled jobs plus as many as 1,700 supply-chain opportunities are expected to be created by the Goole facility.
• The Goole “Rail Village” is designed to be a centre of excellence for rail innovation, taking on more than just assembly: development, innovation, servicing, and maintenance.
Looking Forward: Challenges and What to Watch
While the project promises a lot, there are some pressures & things to keep an eye on:
• Integration & infrastructure readiness (tracks, signalling, power, station modifications) must keep pace. New trains won’t deliver full benefit if other parts of the system lag.
• The improvement in frequency (to 27 trains per hour) depends on upgrades in signalling and other support systems.
• Delivering large-scale rollout on schedule is always sensitive to supply chain, testing and regulatory approvals.
• Ensuring the user experience (temperature control, accessibility, journey time) meets expectations once the trains are in full service.
Conclusion
The new Piccadilly Line Tube trains being built in the Goole factory represent one of the largest modernisation efforts in London Underground’s recent history: combining improved comfort, energy-efficiency, and capacity, while also delivering regional economic growth. For commuters, the promise is of cooler, more frequent, more reliable journeys. For the rail sector, this is a sign of renewed domestic manufacturing capacity and innovation.
Attached is a news article regarding New underground tube trains
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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