London Underground Sleet Locomotives

The Central London Railway initially used electric locomotives hauling trailers but these were found to be causing problems with their large unsprung weights [1]. The locomotives were replaced in 1903 by electric multiple units, known as 1903 Stock. These in turn were replaced by Standard Stock in the 1930s, a number of 1903 Stock motor cars were then converted into Sleet locomotives to clear snow and ice from the track in 1939.

ESL 107 at LT Museum Acton

Information
Number built:	18
Built:	(Original tube stock) 1900-03, 1913 Sleet Locomotives converted 1939
Builder:	Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage & Wagon Company
Engine:	GE66 traction motors (630v DC fourth rail)
Power:	960 hp (720 kW)

These were built by taking two driving ends to make a single locomotive [2]. Most sleet locomotives survived in service until the mid-1980s though as tube stock began to have its own de-icing equipment fitted their role reduced over the years, but they could also be used to clear leaves from the line. One locomotive ESL107 has been preserved, it is the only 1903 Stock to have survived.

Sleet locomotive ESL 107

Cab of ESL 107

1] J. Graeme Bruce & Desmond Croome, The Twopenny Tube (Capital Transport, 1996) p. 15
[2] John Glover, London Underground Rolling Stock in Colour (Ian Allan, 2009) p. 31