Editing Piccadilly line (section)

==Rolling stock==
{{main|London Underground 1973 Stock}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 230
| image1            = Northfields. (120).jpg
| alt1              = A westbound Piccadilly line train at Northfields, formed of a six-car 1973 stock.
| caption1          = 1973 stock at Northfields, July 2015
| image2            = Barons Court Station - geograph.org.uk - 1762897.jpg
| alt2              = A westbound Piccadilly line train at Barons Court station, operated by a seven-car 1959 stock.
| caption2          = 1959 Stock train at {{stl|London Underground|Barons Court}}
| image3            = 
| caption3          = 2024 Stock train rendering.
}}

The {{convert|107.2|m|ft|abbr=on|order=flip}} six-car [[London Underground 1973 Stock|1973 tube stocks]] provide services on the Piccadilly line, which were built between 1974 and 1977 by [[Metro-Cammell]]. These trains were built {{convert|6|ft|m|abbr=on}} longer than the 1959 stock trains to accommodate more luggage space{{sfn|Croome|Jackson|1993|pp=408–409}} and speed up journey times with more comfort. As of 2020, their livery is of standard London Underground corporate of blue, white and red. They were previously unpainted, exposing the aluminium [[alloy]] material.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=122}} Traction [[voltage]] is at {{Val|630|u=V|s=&nbsp;DC}} current powered by the third and fourth rail.<ref name="wdtk-lu">{{cite web|last1=Neil|first1=Graham|title=London Underground Rolling Stock Information Sheet |date=4 August 2015 |edition=4th |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826131852/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/cy/request/284276/response/737827/attach/6/RS%20Info%20Sheets%204%20Edition.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2020 |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/cy/request/284276/response/737827/attach/6/RS%20Info%20Sheets%204%20Edition.pdf |access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> The first of these trains entered service on 18 August 1975.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=123}}{{refn|One train was used during the Hatton Cross extension opening on 19 July that same year.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=123}}|group=note}} They were refurbished by [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] from 1995 to 2000 in [[Wakefield, Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/rollingstock/1624.aspx |title=1973 |publisher= Transport for London |date=n.d. |access-date=20 April 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516015513/https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/londonunderground/rollingstock/1624.aspx| archive-date=16 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=New Look Trains on the Piccadilly Line |url=http://www.londontransport.co.uk/press/picline.html |date=17 June 1996 |website=[[London Transport (brand)|London Transport]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970111015700/http://www.londontransport.co.uk/press/picline.html |archive-date=11 January 1997 |access-date=27 August 2020}}</ref> Changes included the removal of transverse seating, [[strap hanger]]s replaced with [[grab bar]]s, new floor material and a full repaint into London Underground's corporate livery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.squarewheels.org.uk/rly/stock/1973tubeStock/ |title=1973 tube stock |publisher=Squarewheels.org.uk |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=20 April 2013 }}</ref> A refurbished carriage on one train was first seen in service on 20 January 1991 to test the new interior concept.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=135}}{{refn|The shared section between Rayners Lane and Uxbridge is also served by [[London Underground S7 and S8 Stock|S8 stock]] trains on the Metropolitan line.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://content.tfl.gov.uk/Part-1-Item05-Commissioners-Report-November-2012.pdf |title=Commissioner's Report |publisher=Transport for London |work=Board Meeting Documents |date=20 September 2012 |access-date=26 August 2020 |location=paragraph 3.2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826151136/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/Part-1-Item05-Commissioners-Report-November-2012.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> Between Hammersmith and Acton Town, it is parallel to the District line, which is served by S7 stock trains.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chandler |first=Mark |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/catch-the-d-train-buffs-descend-on-tube-to-catch-last-ever-classic-d-stock-district-line-services-a3520901.html |title=Catch the D: Train buffs descend on Tube to catch last old-style D stock District line service |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=21 April 2017 |access-date=26 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200826151511/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/catch-the-d-train-buffs-descend-on-tube-to-catch-last-ever-classic-d-stock-district-line-services-a3520901.html |archive-date=26 August 2020}}</ref>|group=note}}

=== Future rolling stock ===
{{Main articles|London Underground 2024 Stock}}
In the late 1990s, the Labour government initiated a [[public–private partnership]] (PPP) to reverse years of underinvestment in [[London Underground]].<ref name=":422">{{Cite news |date=16 December 2000 |title=New blow to Tube sell-off plan |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/1072193.stm |access-date=7 March 2021}}</ref> [[Tube Lines]] planned to order 93 new Piccadilly line trains, which would enter service by 2014.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=8 January 2003 |title=Details of Tube modernisation plans unveiled |url=http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200602/20030108.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519094016/http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200602/20030108.aspx |archive-date=19 May 2006 |access-date=8 March 2021 |website=Tube Lines}}</ref> In January 2007, Tube Lines started the process of ordering new Piccadilly line trains, by querying if train manufacturers would be interested in supplying them.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=15 January 2007 |title=Tube Lines invites expressions of interest from manufacturers for new Piccadilly line trains |url=http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200701/20070115.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224092920/http://www.tubelines.com/news/releases/200701/20070115.aspx |archive-date=2009-02-24 |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=[[Tube Lines]]}}</ref> Contract award was anticipated for 2008, and trains would enter service on the Piccadilly line in 2014.<ref name=":16" /> However, TfL bought out the Tube Lines consortium after cost overruns in 2010, formally ending the PPP.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 May 2010 |title=Tube maintenance back 'in house' as new deal is signed |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8669823.stm |accessdate=9 May 2010}}</ref>

In the mid 2010s, TfL began a process of ordering new rolling stock to replace trains on the Piccadilly, Central, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=October 2014 |title=New Tube for London - Feasibility Report |url=http://content.tfl.gov.uk/ntfl-feasibility-report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014932/http://content.tfl.gov.uk/ntfl-feasibility-report.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=[[Transport for London]]}}</ref> A feasibility study into the new trains showed that new generation trains and re-signalling could increase capacity on the Piccadilly line by 60%, with 36 trains per hour.<ref name=":4" />

In June 2018, the [[Siemens Inspiro]] was selected.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=15 June 2018 |title=Siemens to supply London Underground deep tube fleet |url=http://www.metro-report.com/news/news-by-region/europe/single-view/view/siemens-to-supply-london-underground-deep-tube-fleet.html |magazine=Metro Report International}}</ref> These trains will have an open gangway design, wider doorways, air conditioning and the ability to run automatically with a new signalling system.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=4 March 2021 |title=Piccadilly Line: Plans for new 'walk-through' trains unveiled |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-56273283 |access-date=5 March 2021}}</ref> However, TfL could only afford to order 94 trains at a cost of £1.5bn, and not the cost of resignalling and automating the line.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Simon |date=3 January 2018 |title=Plan to sell part of Tube fleet branded 'quite mad' |website=ITV News |url=https://www.itv.com/news/london/2018-01-03/plan-to-sell-part-of-london-underground-fleet-branded-quite-mad |access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> Half of the trains will be built in [[Goole]], [[East Riding of Yorkshire]].<ref name=":10">{{cite news |date=15 June 2018 |title=East Yorkshire factory wins £1.5bn Tube train deal |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-44496526 |access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref> Trains are expected to enter service in 2025, and are currently undergoing testing at a depot in Germany.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Lydall |first=Ross |date=4 March 2021 |title=First look: TfL unveils design of new Piccadilly line trains |work=Evening Standard |location=London |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/design-new-piccadilly-line-trains-unveiled-tfl-b922086.html |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/metros/london-undergrounds-piccadilly-line-train-on-test/65383.article#:~:text=UK%3A%20The%20first%20of%2094,Test%20%26%20Validation%20Centre%20in%20Germany | title=London Underground's Piccadilly Line train on test }}</ref>

===Historical tube stocks===

The line was previously worked by the [[London Underground 1906 Stock|1906 gate stock]], which were manufactured in France and Hungary.{{sfn|Wolmar|2005|p=188}} The {{convert|52|ft|m|abbr=on}} carriages were connected to form three, four or five-car trains, and were designed to have a maximum of six cars per train. Built with steel as its main material, the interiors were covered by fireproof mahogany [[Wood veneer|veneer]].{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=28}} Six-car trains were implemented in 1917. Additional cars were ordered and brought into service between 1920 and 1921 to combat shortage of capacity.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=34}} In late 1920s, plans were developed to replace these outdated stocks. Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon & Finance Company (Metro-Cammell's predecessor) was to build [[London Underground Standard Stock|standard tube stocks]], which were delivered within 1928 and 1929. Another batch of these were constructed in [[Feltham]] by the Union Construction company. All the gate stocks were decommissioned in June 1929.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=35}} The new standard tube stocks have some wider doors on trailer cars and extra doors on the motor car. All doors are now air-operated.{{sfn|Bruce|1988|pp=63–64}}{{refn|The 1906 gate stock was still in use on the Aldwych shuttle.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=36}}|group=note}} In 1929, it was suggested that a new prototype of tube stock should include three double doors on each side. These seven-car trains, also standard tube stocks, had carriages at least one foot longer. They were made to be lighter, and had better interior lighting. These new trains were completed in two periods, 1931 and 1934, which costed £1.20&nbsp;million in total.{{sfn|Bruce|1988|pp=67–69}}{{sfn|Horne|2007|pp=98–99}}

Due to ridership increasing by {{nowrap|61 per cent}} on the Uxbridge branch between 1931 and 1938, Piccadilly line trains were packed with passengers. New experimental trains were brought into service in 1936, which were formed of four or six cars. These trains had their control equipment (of seven different types from four different manufacturers) placed under the car floor, which enabled more space for passengers on both motor cars. While boarding times were decreased, some of the designs of control equipment were said to be less reliable than others. Nevertheless, they were a prototype for the design of the [[London Underground 1938 Stock|1938 stock]].{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=101}}{{sfn|Hardy|2001|p=62}} As a safety measure for World War II, trains initially had their lights switched off at night. It was later amended to illuminate trains with dim blue lamps, and then, largely enclosed reading lamps.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=104}} Patronage on the line increased greatly after the war, which meant additional trains were needed. New 1938 stocks, together with the experimental trains were rebuilt to form a fleet of seven-car [[London Underground 1949 Stock|1949 stock]] trains, in operation from 1952.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=107}}{{sfn|Croome|Jackson|1993|pp=313–314}}{{refn|Meanwhile, 1906 stock trains were withdrawn on the Aldwych branch in December 1956, being replaced by two experimental trains. One train was transferred to the [[Epping Ongar Railway|Epping — Ongar shuttle]] in 1957.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=108}}|group=note}}

New test trains were manufactured again in the 1950s. Three prototype trains, branded as the [[1956 tube stock|1956 stock]], were trialled on the Piccadilly line in 1957 and 1958. These new trains would replace most of the Standard stock. It was successful, and 76 seven-car trains were placed on order as the [[London Underground 1959 Stock|1959 stock]].{{sfn|Croome|Jackson|1993|p=318}} These were built by Metro-Cammell, with the first train entering service on 14 December 1959.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=110}}{{sfn|Bruce|1988|pp=87–88}}{{refn|The Central line had problems with the wearing old standard stock, which were in urgent need of replacement. Combined with electrification of [[British Rail]] lines which forecasted new journeys on the line, priority was given to use some of the 1959 stock before the 1962 stock was produced. Once the latter stocks were fully in service in May 1964, the 57 trains were transferred back onto the Piccadilly line.{{sfn|Croome|Jackson|1993|p=320}} Previously, the line already had 19 1959 stock trains in service. A three-car 1962 stock train was brought into service on the Aldwych shuttle to replace the experimental train.{{sfn|Horne|2007|pp=110–111}}|group=note}} The standard stocks were withdrawn by 1964,{{sfn|Croome|Jackson|1993|p=320}} and the 1938 stocks were slowly taken out of service due to age. The 1959 stocks were gradually transferred to the [[Northern line]] between November 1975 and October 1979, being replaced by the 1973 stock trains; the last of the latter coming into service on 5 October 1979.{{sfn|Horne|2007|p=123}}

A few 1938 trains were preserved, and in June 2011, one of these trains made a few shuttle trips on the line as part of an event in conjunction with Father's Day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-13823498 |title=London Transport Museum plans 1938 Tube train ride |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=27 August 2020 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827160803/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-13823498 |archive-date=27 August 2020}}</ref>