New air conditioned Piccadilly train tested deep below London after delayed launch
Technical problems identified on a prototype meant there was a risk the state of the art Piccadilly Line trains could be damaged unless they were modified.
The set back meant Transport for London was forced to delay crucial trials and abandon its plan to introduce the new trains into public service during 2025.
TfL has released a video of a new train on a test run between Northfields and Hyde Park corner during a closure of the Piccadilly Line last weekend.
Prolific fare evaders targeted in major crackdown on London Underground
Stuart Harvey, TfL's chief capital officer said: 'We've now started a rigorous programme of testing the new Piccadilly line trains with London Underground's infrastructure and systems.'
The technical problems were believed to involve the trains' air conditioning units and 'clearances' between the train and track equipment.
The £2.9bn project will see 94 new trains boasting walk-through carriages, wider doorways and air conditioning.
They are due to replace trains which entered service in 1975.
Mr Harvey added: . 'The new trains, which will transform journeys for millions of customers on one of the Underground's busiest lines, are planned to start operating in the second half of 2026.'
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