On 13 Aug, 11:08, "Recliner" wrote:
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In article ,
(Recliner) wrote:

I notice the press release says, "Requesting expressions of
interest from manufacturers is the first stage of the procurement
process leading to selection and contract award by Tube Lines,
anticipated at the end of 2008". *Well, that's not happened yet, so
I guess the in-service date is also slipping.

I think the 2009 stock was ordered in about April 2003, and it took
more than six years for the first train to enter late night
service. I assume the full 2009 stock service won't be till 2011.
On that basis, if the new Picc stock really is ordered this year,
the 1973 TS will probably still be in daily use when it's 40 years
old in 2015.

And? The 1967 TS is already 42 years old and has been in full service
for over 41 years. It seems pretty fresh to me, unlike the ageing
standard stock of my youth.

I'd not complain if the 1973 TS survives for a good few years yet. I
prefer it to the newer tube trains, though I must admit I preferred the
transverse seat layout it enjoyed before the refurbishment. I fear that
the replacement stock will have fewer seats still, just as the 1995/6
trains do.

Incidentally, the oldest 1967 TS cars have only been in service for less
than 41 years, and some of the carriages are about four years younger,
as they're actually 1972 stock. The Victoria line was only fully open 38
years ago, so the trains aren't as old as they sound from their name.

The first section of the Victoria line (Walthamstow - Highbury and
Islington) opened on 1st September 1968, so the stock has been in
service for very nearly 41 years and certainly was undergoing testing
well before that date.

The 'class' date of underground stock used to be the year of the
order, not the year of entry into service, the 2009 stock breaks this
'rule' but I think it applies to most of the other tube stock classes.