Siemens cleared for Deep Tube

Transport for London confirmed on November 20 that Siemens has won the £1.5 billion order for an initial 94 new Piccadilly Line trains.

The deal was announced in March, but delayed by a legal challenge from competitors Alstom and Bombardier/Hitachi.

This has now been resolved ( RAIL 866), and the German manufacturer can progress with the order.

Siemens plans to build trains in Goole, although Transport for London’s statement says that while Tube trains will be tested and commissioned there, it also states that TfL and Siemens “will now work together to maximise the number of Piccadilly Line trains being built at this facility”.

The trains are part of the company’s Inspiro range, with the first due in traffic from 2024. Testing will begin the year before, and they will replace stock dating from 1973.

The new fleet will feature walk-through carriages and be the first Deep Tube trains to feature air-conditioning.

The contract is for an initial 94 trains and a Fleet Services Agreement that covers supply of spares and whole-life technical support.

This deal involves the expectation that Siemens will build all 250 trains required for the Deep Tube Upgrade scheme, which also includes the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City Lines.