1960 Tube Stock
In the post war years, the Central Line was extended to West Ruislip and to the east, Epping, the Hainault Loop and eventually Ongar. By the mid 1950’s the Standard stock that served the line was due for replacement and an order was placed for evaluation with Cravens of Sheffield for twelve Driving Motor Cars. The same number of Standard Stock Trailers was to be upgraded at Acton Works to run as three four car units.
A new design was adopted for the Driving Motor Cars, with each axle motored, an innovation for tube stock. Other developments were reversible couplers to enable through running on the Hainault loop. Double width side windows featuring separate ventilators providing a double-glazed effect and sound insulation. Solid state regulation and rectification of the power supply for the auxiliary equipment which would avoid the significant maintenance requirements of carbon voltage regulators. Cosmetically, the exterior was finished in unpainted linished aluminium and internally, painted pegboard ceilings to provide noise attenuation together with pastel shaded laminate panelling.
The first prototypes entered service in November 1960 and the plan was to order a further 338 Driving Motor Cars and convert a similar number of Trailers once the new design had proved itself. Two key factors prevented this from being completed. The Standard Stock operating the Central Line service was becoming very unreliable necessitating rapid replacement and the cost of converting and upgrading the Trailer cars was higher than forecast. Additionally, the recently introduced 1959 Tube Stock was proving very satisfactory in service, so the decision was made to re-equip the line with a follow-on batch of similar stock.
For the new Victoria Line, Automatic Train Control was proposed and the Woodford to Hainault section of the Central Line was selected for trails of the new technology. This required five four car units of 1960 Tube Stock to be converted. Modifications carried out in addition to the electronic and associated equipment were to block the drivers cab side doors, relocate the door controls and provide a public address system. The trials commenced in April 1964.
By the mid 1970’s the Standard Stock trailers were showing their age and were replaced by 1938 Tube Stock Trailers that were available at the time. As the Hainault to Woodford section of the line was only lightly used, the units were reduced from four to three cars. In their final years of passenger service, the 1960 Tube Stock operated the Epping to Ongar shuttle service until its closure at the end of September 1994.
Currently two units survive. One was converted for use as the Track Recording Vehicle and is still in use by LUL as part of the maintenance regime assessing the condition of the track. The other was purchased by the Cravens Preservation Group, now Cravens Heritage Trains Limited and has operated a number of rail tours, operated the Chesham shuttle on a Sunday and appeared in a TV drama. The traction motors for this unit are currently on loan to LUL to support the TRV in its important work.
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