London Underground 1935 Tube Stock

The London Passenger Transport Board planned a series of extensions to the London Underground in the late 1930s and therefore would require a new fleet of rolling stock. The 1935 Tube Stock was a small experimental fleet of twelve two-car sets (which were marshalled into four six-car trains). The new trains were the first to have the motors and electrical control equipment underneath the frame which freed up more space in the motor cars for passengers as compared to the previous generation Standard Stock.

Streamlined 1935 Tube Stock [4]

Information
Number built:	24 (12 2-car sets)
Built:	1936
Builder:	Metropolitan Cammell
Motor:	Crompton Parkinson C200 electric motor (600v DC fourth rail)
Power:	1, 656 hp (1, 235 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor (DM) + DM

As the trains were experimental, four different types of motor control equipment was used for evaluation [1] though all trains were compatible with each other. The most notable external feature was the Art Deco style streamlining of three of the trains (a Standard Stock driving motor had already been fitted with a streamlined front end in 1933 though not used in passenger service [2]). The sides of the trains were also made smoother, including using flush-fitting windows with the aim of reducing wear and tear and aiding cleaning.

These trains had the driver seat located centrally in the cab with the brake and master controller handles on either side akin to aeroplane joysticks. However, drivers did not like this arrangement and the streamlining was found to be unnecessary due to the speeds tube trains usually travel at! The fourth train was built with conventional cabs and flat cab ends. This design was carried through to the production 1938 Tube Stock which were based on the flat-fronted trains [3].

The trains were used on the Underground in the late 1930s but were put into storage during the Second World War due to the difficulty in maintaining the non-standard equipment. In 1947 the streamlined trains were converted into trailers to supplement the 1938 Tube Stock fleet, the last remained in service until 1976. The flat fronted trains were used on shuttle trains on the Central Line and for some development work. The last was scrapped in the mid-1970s.

[1] Brian Hardy, Underground Train File Tube Stock 1933-1959 (Capital Trainsport, 2001) p. 59

[2] Piers Connor, The London Underground Electric Train (Crowood Press, 2015) p.127

[3] Hardy p. 63

[4] "Streamlined London Tube Trains", Meccano Magazine (February 1937) p. 77