Go to: Main Content Go to: Navigation

Transport for London

1973

1973 stock 1973 stock.

88 new trains of 1973 stock were built by Metro-Cammell and delivered during the mid 1970s for the Piccadilly Line, in connection with the increased stock required for the extension from Hounslow West to Heathrow.

They commenced operation mid 1975. To cater for airline passengers carrying baggage, extra floor space has been provided, made possible by setting back the glass screens at door openings to provide larger vestibules than normal.

This also had the advantage of helping speed up discharging and embarking passengers, essential in order to maintain a highly intensive service through central London stations.

The cars are longer than normal Tube stock, a six car train is 350ft (107.6m) long which is only 17ft (5.23m) shorter than the seven car trains they replaced.

The advantages are that there are fewer bogies per train, and therefore less cost, a saving in weight and noise and a greater degree of comfort.

There are three types of 1973 car - DM ("driving motor" cars - fitted with drivers controls and traction motors), UNDM (Uncoupling non-"driving motor" cars - Fitted with traction/control equipment but no drivers controls or accommodation, and fitted with a small cabinet allowing uncoupling and shunting), T (Trailer coach with no driving controls or traction equipment)

  DM UNDM T
Length 57ft 3.75in (17.676m) 57ft 1.5in (17.473m) 57ft 1.5in (17.473m)
Height 9ft 5in (2.880m) 9ft 5in (2.880m) 9ft 5in (2.880m)
Width 8ft 7.5in (2.629m) 8ft 7.5in (2.629m) 8ft 7.5in (2.629m)
Seating 44 44 44
Weight 27.2T 26.2T 18.4T
Total seating capacity
for six cars
228, plus 44 perch seats
Total standing capacity
for six cars
966
Total six car train capacity 1238
Journey Planner Advanced
options
You are here:
CorporateModes of transportLondon Underground