London Underground rolling stock



The history of the London Underground's rolling stock is as complex as the history of the network itself. A wide variety of types have been operated, from the early days of steam locomotives and carriages through to today's electric multiple units. The different types used are listed here.


 * Note: Stock shown in red has been withdrawn from traffic.


 * For details of the numbering and classification systems used, see: London Underground rolling stock numbering and classification

Locomotives

 * Steam locomotives &mdash; withdrawn by 1971
 * Electric locomotives &mdash; withdrawn from passenger service by 1962
 * Diesel locomotives &mdash; DL81-DL83 &mdash; withdrawn from service
 * Battery-electric locomotives &mdash; still in service

Hauled carriages

 * Coaching stock &mdash; Former-BR coaching stock used for special-services on Metropolitan Line

Tube stock
This is the general designation applied to the trains specially designed to run in the restricted space available in the tunnels used on part or all of the Bakerloo, Central, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Jubilee Lines. The dimensions vary between individual designs but the common feature is the ability to run through a circular tunnel of approximately 13 ft diameter. (The precise tunnel size varies from line to line.)

Sub-surface stock
This is the general designation (also known more simply as "Surface Stock") of the Underground trains constructed to width and height dimensions closer to those commonly used for railway vehicles in Great Britain, although in some cases (e.g. A60/62 stock) they slightly exceed various standard dimensions or clearances. They are used in the shallower (“sub-surface”) tunnels built with more generous clearances than the smaller diameter "tube" tunnels.

Engineering trains

 * Departmental stock &mdash; Former units converted for various departmental roles
 * Engineering stock

Digital Voice Announcer (DVA)
On London Underground, all but the A stocks have automated DVAs fitted.

The Sub-Surface Lines all share the same characteristics: style, format and voice.

The Bakerloo, Victoria and Central lines are all voiced by Emma Clarke and share similar characteristics but in different formats. These lines additionally have some form of audio announcement when doors are closing whether it be "Please stand clear of the doors" (Bakerloo Line) or "This is a Central Line train to... (Central Line)

The Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines all use different voice over artists. The 1995 and 1996 are similar in style and they share the same "This train terminates at...." characteristic. The Piccadilly Line uses a different format altogether, "Please mind the gap between the train and the platform. This is Green Park, change here for the Jubilee and Victoria Lines. Alight here for Buckingham Palace. This is a Piccadilly Line service to Cockfosters".

Stocks such as the 1967 have had to change some of the announcements recently to fit in with the new London Overground and St. Pancras International.