London Underground S Stock
Encyclopedia
The S Stock is a class of sub-surface train currently being delivered by Bombardier Transportation
in Derby
to the London Underground
to replace 177 existing trains on the Metropolitan
, District
, Hammersmith & City
, and Circle lines, with a new fleet of standardised car design, totalling 191 trains or 1,395 cars. The 'S' Stock order is said to be the biggest single order of rolling stock ever made in the history of the railways in Britain.
The total cost of the S Stock trains will be £1.5 billion, according to Transport for London
.
stands for 'Sub-surface,' following the London Underground
tradition of designating surface fleets with a letter associated with its intended route. Thus, the A Stock operates the Metropolitan line
to Amersham, the C Stock operates the Circle line and Hammersmith & City line
, and D Stock
the District line
.
The stock, part of Bombardier's Movia
family, is being delivered in the form of 133 "S7" seven-coach trains and 58 "S8" eight-coach trains between 2010 and 2013, and features air-conditioning throughout - the sub-surface tunnels (unlike those on the deep-level tube lines) being able to disperse the exhausted hot air, and in any case two thirds of the sub-surface network is in the open air. These trains also have regenerative brake
s, returning around 20% of their energy to the network and thus reducing energy consumption.
The trains have faster acceleration than previous rolling stock, at 1.3 m/s2 (similar to the K-Stock on the Hong Kong MTR), but their top speed will be capped at 62 mph (100 km/h). This is 8 mph slower compared to the maximum design speed of the A-Stock (70 mph, no longer reached in normal running) but is still faster than the C and D stocks. During the period of dual operation between old and new trains, the S-stock trains will have their performance capped to match that of the older trains in order to comply with signalling constraints and avoid bunching of the service. The new trains in their 8-car configuration will accommodate 306 seated passengers compared with 448 passengers for the A-stock, a reduction of 32%; however, S-stock will be capable of accommodating 25% more standing passengers (1,226, compared with 976 in A-stock) and will have dedicated space for wheelchairs.
Eventually the line voltage on the sub-surface lines will increase from the current, nominal 630 volts to 750 volts. This will allow for better performance and also for the increased power demands of an air-conditioned, fully motored-axle train.
Both S8 and S7 Stock trains will feature an improved Customer Information System (CIS), with the front of the train showing two lines of text - the top line for the destination, and the bottom for the line. Internally, the trains have larger Dot Matrix Indicators (DMI) than the current D Stock (the A and C Stock lack any Dot Matrix Indicators at all). The DMIs show the destination and line of the train, and can display a variety of other messages, including safety ones. There are also DMIs on the exterior of the trains, with the text alternating between the destination and the line (and additionally the type of service, i.e. fast or stopping, in the case of S8 variant).
As an added feature, in order to prevent accidental pressing of the Passenger Emergency Alarms there are flaps over the alarm buttons where the wheelchair spaces are.
The air-conditioning system, the first ever on London Underground trains, is by Mitsubishi and has two circuits so that if one goes down there is still 50% aircon capacity. Through gangways from one car to the next are another innovation for LUL (though already seen on the London Overground
). This provides extra room for standing passengers and creates a greater sense of security. CCTV is provided so that the driver can see into every car, while track-to-train video links enable him or her to observe the whole of the outside of the train before pulling out of a station.
The S Stock also features a fold-out set of steps in each drivers' cab to allow for a fast evacuation of the train in the event of an emergency.
The external displays on the S8s alternate between the destination, the type of service and the line name. E.g. - 'Watford', 'All stations', 'Metropolitan line'. The S Stock is the first fleet to be used on the Metropolitan line that features Dot Matrix Indicators and Digital Voice Announcements. The S Stock trains on the Metropolitan line utilise the same announcer voice as the 2009 stock
on the Victoria line
and the C Stock on the Circle, District
, and Hammersmith & City line
s.
There are currently two S7 trains in London; they are not the final design, however, as they are S8 trains with a carriage taken out for testing purposes.
By 27 June 2011, the S Stock was running across the whole Metropolitan line network. As of 14 October 2011, 22 trains had been delivered to Neasden Depot
(two pre-production train re-modified to S7).
Transport for London expects all 58 S8 trains for the Metropolitan line to be in service by early 2012.
The first of the 191 S7 trains will enter service on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, starting in late 2011 or early 2012. Last to arrive will be those for the District line, starting in 2013, with the whole S stock fleet in service by 2015. This is primarily because the District line's existing (D78 Stock) trains were refurbished relatively recently, whereas the 40-year-old C stock trains on the Circle and Hammersmith services are "in an increasingly poor state" according to LUL. Also, it is hoped that the Circle and Hammersmith routes will have all their new trains in service by summer 2012 in order to maximise passenger capacity on the northern half of the Circle line in time for the Olympic Games. They are longer than the trains they are replacing (seven cars and 117m long instead of six cars and 93m long), so certain station platforms are having to be lengthened before they can operate in normal service. For stations where this has proved physically impossible, such as Baker Street, the trains have a selective door-opening capability whereby the set of doors at the end of the train will not open.
As of November 2011, S Stock deliveries are subject to hiatus, due to ongoing reliability problems.
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
to the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
to replace 177 existing trains on the Metropolitan
Metropolitan Line
The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground. It is coloured in Transport for London's Corporate Magenta on the Tube map and in other branding. It was the first underground railway in the world, opening as the Metropolitan Railway on 10 January 1863...
, District
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
, Hammersmith & City
Hammersmith & City Line
The Hammersmith & City line is a subsurface London Underground line. It connects Hammersmith in the west with Barking in the east, running through the northern part of central London. It is coloured salmon pink on the Tube map...
, and Circle lines, with a new fleet of standardised car design, totalling 191 trains or 1,395 cars. The 'S' Stock order is said to be the biggest single order of rolling stock ever made in the history of the railways in Britain.
The total cost of the S Stock trains will be £1.5 billion, according to Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
.
Description
The 'S' designationDesignation
Designation may refer to:* Professional certification* Designation , an official classification determined by a government agency or historical society- See also :* United States Department of Defense aerospace vehicle designation...
stands for 'Sub-surface,' following the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
tradition of designating surface fleets with a letter associated with its intended route. Thus, the A Stock operates the Metropolitan line
Metropolitan Line
The Metropolitan line is part of the London Underground. It is coloured in Transport for London's Corporate Magenta on the Tube map and in other branding. It was the first underground railway in the world, opening as the Metropolitan Railway on 10 January 1863...
to Amersham, the C Stock operates the Circle line and Hammersmith & City line
Hammersmith & City Line
The Hammersmith & City line is a subsurface London Underground line. It connects Hammersmith in the west with Barking in the east, running through the northern part of central London. It is coloured salmon pink on the Tube map...
, and D Stock
London Underground D78 Stock
The London Underground D Stock is a type of electric multiple unit used on the London Underground District Line . The entire fleet is due to be replaced with S Stock trains in 2015.- History :...
the District line
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
.
The stock, part of Bombardier's Movia
Movia
Movia is a family of metro train built by Bombardier Transportation. The structure and body shell are fully customisable for the needs of each system that orders it. Unlike most traditional metro trains, they usually have full-width gangways between carriages, allowing passengers to walk the entire...
family, is being delivered in the form of 133 "S7" seven-coach trains and 58 "S8" eight-coach trains between 2010 and 2013, and features air-conditioning throughout - the sub-surface tunnels (unlike those on the deep-level tube lines) being able to disperse the exhausted hot air, and in any case two thirds of the sub-surface network is in the open air. These trains also have regenerative brake
Regenerative brake
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed...
s, returning around 20% of their energy to the network and thus reducing energy consumption.
The trains have faster acceleration than previous rolling stock, at 1.3 m/s2 (similar to the K-Stock on the Hong Kong MTR), but their top speed will be capped at 62 mph (100 km/h). This is 8 mph slower compared to the maximum design speed of the A-Stock (70 mph, no longer reached in normal running) but is still faster than the C and D stocks. During the period of dual operation between old and new trains, the S-stock trains will have their performance capped to match that of the older trains in order to comply with signalling constraints and avoid bunching of the service. The new trains in their 8-car configuration will accommodate 306 seated passengers compared with 448 passengers for the A-stock, a reduction of 32%; however, S-stock will be capable of accommodating 25% more standing passengers (1,226, compared with 976 in A-stock) and will have dedicated space for wheelchairs.
Eventually the line voltage on the sub-surface lines will increase from the current, nominal 630 volts to 750 volts. This will allow for better performance and also for the increased power demands of an air-conditioned, fully motored-axle train.
Detail
The S Stock will be delivered in two different types, the S8 for Metropolitan line services and the S7 for Hammersmith & City, Circle and District line services.Both S8 and S7 Stock trains will feature an improved Customer Information System (CIS), with the front of the train showing two lines of text - the top line for the destination, and the bottom for the line. Internally, the trains have larger Dot Matrix Indicators (DMI) than the current D Stock (the A and C Stock lack any Dot Matrix Indicators at all). The DMIs show the destination and line of the train, and can display a variety of other messages, including safety ones. There are also DMIs on the exterior of the trains, with the text alternating between the destination and the line (and additionally the type of service, i.e. fast or stopping, in the case of S8 variant).
As an added feature, in order to prevent accidental pressing of the Passenger Emergency Alarms there are flaps over the alarm buttons where the wheelchair spaces are.
The air-conditioning system, the first ever on London Underground trains, is by Mitsubishi and has two circuits so that if one goes down there is still 50% aircon capacity. Through gangways from one car to the next are another innovation for LUL (though already seen on the London Overground
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
). This provides extra room for standing passengers and creates a greater sense of security. CCTV is provided so that the driver can see into every car, while track-to-train video links enable him or her to observe the whole of the outside of the train before pulling out of a station.
The S Stock also features a fold-out set of steps in each drivers' cab to allow for a fast evacuation of the train in the event of an emergency.
S8 variant
S Stock trains of the S8 variant have a total of eight cars per train. The S8 Stock features 4 dedicated wheelchair spaces in all trains, and cantilever seating for easier cleaning and more accessible storage of bags.The external displays on the S8s alternate between the destination, the type of service and the line name. E.g. - 'Watford', 'All stations', 'Metropolitan line'. The S Stock is the first fleet to be used on the Metropolitan line that features Dot Matrix Indicators and Digital Voice Announcements. The S Stock trains on the Metropolitan line utilise the same announcer voice as the 2009 stock
London Underground 2009 Stock
The 2009 Tube Stock is a type of London Underground train built by Bombardier as part of its Movia family at its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England. 47 eight-car units are being built for the Victoria line and have replaced the original 1967 tube stock...
on the Victoria line
Victoria Line
The Victoria line is a deep-level London Underground line running from the south to the north-east of London. It is coloured light blue on the Tube map...
and the C Stock on the Circle, District
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
, and Hammersmith & City line
Hammersmith & City Line
The Hammersmith & City line is a subsurface London Underground line. It connects Hammersmith in the west with Barking in the east, running through the northern part of central London. It is coloured salmon pink on the Tube map...
s.
S7 variant
The other type will be known as the S7 Stock - which will be used by the Circle, District and Hammersmith & City lines. It is much like the S8 Stock, except that trains have seven cars instead of eight, and (in keeping with its use on inner-city lines with higher short-distance ridership) will have longitudinal seating throughout, and no transverse seating.There are currently two S7 trains in London; they are not the final design, however, as they are S8 trains with a carriage taken out for testing purposes.
Entry to service
The S Stock was initially tested overnight between and via the Watford North Curve from 9 November 2009. Driver training began in early January 2010, and the first train entered revenue service on the Metropolitan line on 31 August 2010 shuttling between Wembley Park and Watford.By 27 June 2011, the S Stock was running across the whole Metropolitan line network. As of 14 October 2011, 22 trains had been delivered to Neasden Depot
Neasden Depot
Neasden Depot or Neasden Works is a London Underground railway depot on the Metropolitan Line, located between Neasden and Wembley Park stations. Historically, when it opened, Neasden was also a manufacturer, producing locomotives and coaching stock for the Metropolitan Railway...
(two pre-production train re-modified to S7).
Transport for London expects all 58 S8 trains for the Metropolitan line to be in service by early 2012.
The first of the 191 S7 trains will enter service on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, starting in late 2011 or early 2012. Last to arrive will be those for the District line, starting in 2013, with the whole S stock fleet in service by 2015. This is primarily because the District line's existing (D78 Stock) trains were refurbished relatively recently, whereas the 40-year-old C stock trains on the Circle and Hammersmith services are "in an increasingly poor state" according to LUL. Also, it is hoped that the Circle and Hammersmith routes will have all their new trains in service by summer 2012 in order to maximise passenger capacity on the northern half of the Circle line in time for the Olympic Games. They are longer than the trains they are replacing (seven cars and 117m long instead of six cars and 93m long), so certain station platforms are having to be lengthened before they can operate in normal service. For stations where this has proved physically impossible, such as Baker Street, the trains have a selective door-opening capability whereby the set of doors at the end of the train will not open.
As of November 2011, S Stock deliveries are subject to hiatus, due to ongoing reliability problems.
External links
- S Stock video
- Bombardier - Technical Data
- Artist's impression
- Vehicle 21100 on its way for testing at Old Dalby Test Track - part of the first set completed
- A Stock train alongside a new S Stock
- S Stock Testing
- S Stock Delivery A
- S Stock Delivery B
