LU’s last complete unrefurbished 72 TS unit to be scrapped

The cannibalised remains of the final unrefurbished 72 TS awaited scrapping as Rail Express went to press. Formed of two Driving Motor [DM] cars, 3229 and 3329 at either end, with Trailer cars 4229 and 4329 in between, the four-car unit has been stabled on the Piccadilly

Line’s disused Aldwych station for much of the past 25 years. During this time, it has featured in films such as Creep (2004) and V for Vendetta (2005), as well as occasional episodes of television programmes, such as the BBC series Spooks. Many enthusiasts would have also seen the unit there when enjoying one of London Transport Museum’s Hidden London tours.

In late November 2021, the unit left Aldwych for the final time, making its way to Ealing Common Depot. Here, useful spare parts were removed that will be reused for a pool of spares, initially to support the overhaul programme of 72 TS at Acton Works, as well as ongoing maintenance of the Bakerloo Line trains at Stonebridge Park depot. The following month the unit was then moved to Ruislip Depot (Central Line).