London Underground F Stock

The F Stock was built for the District Railway in the early 1920s to increase capacity and to replace deteriorating B Stock [1], the construction was partly funded by the government to help British industry transition back to civil manufacture. The F Stock was built at a factory that had built armoured vehicles in the war, that and their steel construction may be why they gained the nickname of "tanks"!

F Stock on delivery [3]

Information
Number built:	100
Built:	1920-21
Builder:	Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon & Finance Company
Motor:	British Thomson-Houston electrical equipment (600v DC fourth rail)

The F Stock was more powerful than earlier District Line stock which gave them a superior performance. Despite their high passenger capacity they were unpopular due to their interior appearance. This was improved in service. The F Stock had non-standard control equipment and thus could not work with other District Railway stock.

The F Stock was transferred to the Metropolitan Line in the 1950s. They were fitted with air operated doors and other enhancements including windscreen wipers [2] to the distinctive (though troublesome) oval windows. The F Stock was finally withdrawn in 1963 after replacement by A Stock. None have been preserved.

Interior view [3]

[1] Brian Hardy, Surface Stock 1933-1959 (Underground Train File) (Capital Transport, 2002) p. 38

[2] Ibid. p. 40

[3] "New District Railway rolling stock", Electrical Review Vol. 87 No. 2, 249 (December 31 1920) p. 838