Exciting changes are coming to one of London’s busiest Tube lines. The brand-new Piccadilly line trains are scheduled to begin service in the second half of 2026, promising a major upgrade for millions of daily commuters.
These state-of-the-art trains will offer:
- 10% more capacity
- Walk-through, air-conditioned carriages
- Wider double doors for faster and easier boarding
- Real-time digital information displays
- On-board CCTV for enhanced safety
Thanks to a lighter and more energy-efficient design, these trains will consume 20% less energy while delivering a smoother, more comfortable ride.
This ambitious project marks the introduction of the most advanced train ever deployed on the Tube network. It’s also the first Deep Tube train to feature air conditioning—made possible by innovative space-saving engineering that places the cooling system beneath the train.
Since the first train arrived in London, Transport for London (TfL) engineers have been closely examining it on-site. This hands-on assessment has helped identify the complex challenges involved in preparing the trains for integration testing and eventual passenger service. As a result, the testing schedule has been adjusted to allow for a more thorough and careful rollout.
TfL and Siemens Mobility are working together to resolve these challenges. Testing is now expected to begin this summer, with all necessary design updates incorporated into future trains.
Once testing is underway, it will take time to ensure the new trains work seamlessly with the existing infrastructure—some of which dates back over a century. Given the complexity of the Piccadilly line, which shares tracks with other services in places, this rigorous testing is essential to guarantee safety and reliability.
Only by conducting these tests in London can TfL ensure the new trains are fully compatible with the network and ready to deliver the step-change in service that passengers deserve.
Stuart Harvey, TfL's Chief Capital Officer, said:
“We’re proud and excited that these innovative new trains on the Piccadilly line will have a transformative effect for London.”
This hugely complex project will boost capacity and make journeys more accessible and more comfortable for millions of people. This is an ambitious project with new 21st century trains providing engineering challenges in both building and introduction into service on a 20th century railway and it is critical that we ensure that safety comes first and that the trains are in top condition when they begin to service London.
“It will obviously be disappointing for customers that they will have to wait a bit longer for the new trains, and I regret that. But I would like to assure Londoners and visitors to our city that we are working extremely closely with Siemens to ensure that the new trains can be introduced as soon as possible in the second half of next year.”
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility, said: “We’re working really hard with TfL to deliver the new Piccadilly line trains that are going to transform travel for people in London. Any project like this is complicated – we're bringing state-of-the-art, air-conditioned, walk-through trains into tunnels that were built 120 years ago.
“We’re sorry we can’t have our innovative trains running for passengers even sooner but, once they're in service, the technology on these new trains will bring smoother, greener and more comfortable journeys for Londoners for the next 30 or more years.”
The recent funding agreement from the Government will enable London’s transport network to continue driving the development of new homes, jobs, and economic growth both in the capital and nationwide. This support will allow Transport for London to complete the rollout of cutting-edge trains on the Piccadilly line and advance plans for introducing new trains on the Bakerloo line.
Image credit: TfL / Siemens
