London Underground 1962 Stock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1962 Stock |
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1962 Stock in departmental use at Leytonstone
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| Stock type | Deep-level tube |
| Line served | Central line (1962-1999) |
| Manufacturer | BRC&W |
| Operator | London Underground |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | DM 50 ft 2+5⁄16 in (15.30 m) NDM 51 ft 2+13⁄16 in (15.62 m) T 51 ft 2+13⁄16 in (15.62 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 6+1⁄4 in (2.597 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 5+1⁄2 in (2.883 m) |
| Weight | DM 26.62 long tons (27.05 t; 29.81 short tons) NDM 24.28 long tons (24.67 t; 27.19 short tons) T 20.67 long tons (21.00 t; 23.15 short tons) |
The 1962 Tube Stock was a special type of London Underground train. These trains were built to run on the Central line, one of London's busiest underground routes. They started carrying passengers in 1962 and served the Central line until 1995.
Contents
What is Tube Stock?
Tube stock is the name given to trains that run on London's deep-level underground lines. These lines are built in narrow tunnels, so the trains have to be smaller and more rounded than regular trains. The 1962 Tube Stock was designed specifically for these tunnels.
Why Were They Built?
The 1962 Tube Stock trains were built to replace older trains on the Central line. London's population was growing, and more people needed to travel around the city. Newer, more reliable trains were needed to keep up with demand. These trains helped make journeys smoother and more efficient for millions of commuters.
Design and Features
The 1962 Tube Stock trains were known for their simple and strong design. They had two main types of cars:
- Driving Motor (DM) cars: These cars had the driver's cab and powerful motors.
- Trailer (T) cars: These cars had no motors and were pulled along by the DM cars.
A typical train was made up of eight cars. This included four motor cars and four trailer cars. The trains had automatic doors, which was a big improvement for passenger safety and speed. Inside, they had comfortable seating and good lighting for their time.
How They Worked
These trains were electric, meaning they ran on electricity. They got their power from a special track called a "third rail" and a "fourth rail" system. This system is unique to the London Underground. It allowed the trains to run quietly and without pollution underground.
Where Did They Run?
The 1962 Tube Stock trains were used only on the Central line. This line is one of the longest on the London Underground network. It stretches from west to east across London. The trains carried passengers through many famous parts of the city.
Service Life and Retirement
The 1962 Tube Stock trains served London for over 30 years. They were very reliable and carried millions of people safely. By the mid-1990s, newer technology was available. The Central line needed even more modern trains. So, the 1962 Tube Stock was gradually replaced by the newer 1992 Stock. The last 1962 Tube Stock passenger train ran in 1995.
What Happened Next?
After their passenger service ended, some 1962 Tube Stock cars found new uses. A few were kept for special engineering work, like carrying sand to help train wheels grip the rails. Others were sadly scrapped, but some parts might have been recycled.
Images for kids
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1962 Stock in departmental use at Leytonstone
