Transport for LondonA' stock
'A' stock
- Metropolitan and East London Lines
- Refurbished by Adtranz Ltd, Derby 1994-1997
The Metropolitan A60 stock was built by Cravens pf Sheffield for the extension of electrification to Amersham and Chesham and selective four-tracking to Amersham.
Although the second world war delayed the scheme, it was finally completed in 1962. Two hundred and forty-eight (124 motor and 124 trailer) aluminium bodied saloon type cars were delivered in 1961.
The great length of the Metropolitan Line (Amersham being 43km from Central London) meant that journey times for most customers would be an hour or so.
Therefore it was felt that something a little more special should be provided. The carriages are unusual for Underground cars in that they have high-backed transverse seating only, with two and three seats either side of a central gangway.
Overhead luggage racks were also provided.
These trains completely replaced the locomotive-hauled coaches, and also the electric compartment stock on the Watford line. The original six units had black roofs which lasted until the first overhaul in the mid 1960s.
A further build, called A62 stock, was destined for the Uxbridge line, and 216 cars were delivered. As both batches are virtually identical they are now both used together throughout all Metropolitan Line services.
A Metropolitan Line train is usually formed from two units, each having four cars. In general each unit only has a driving cab at one end, though 24 units in the A stock fleet have a cab at each end and so can be driven in service as a four car train. A number of these four car trains are used for services on the Amersham to Chesham branch as well as the East London Line.
The stock is capable of operational speeds of up to 60 mph, however speed is line on the line to a maximum of 50mph. The braking equipment includes electro-pneumatic service brakes incorporating retardation control to ensure a smooth and even braking. It is now the only stock without electric braking.
"Driving motor" cars have to pairs of double doors per side and one single leaf door at the end; "trailer" cars have three pairs of double leaf doors.
| Length per car | 53ft 0.5in (16.17m) |
|---|---|
| Normal train length | Eight cars (4 on Chesham shuttle & East London line) |
| Height | 12ft 1in (3.89m) |
| Width per car | 9ft 8in (2.95m) |
| Unladen weight | 21.8-32.1 tonnes |
| Total seating capacity(eight cars) | 448 |
| Total standing capacity (eight cars) | 976 |
| Total capacity (eight cars) | 1424 |
