A video gives Londoners a first look of the new Piccadilly line trains being put to action. Transport for London (TfL) captured the moment new trains were test run on the existing Tube network, with the aim of having them in operation in the second half of 2026.
Londoners can expect to be travelling in cooler, more spacious and more regular journeys along the dark blue line. The £2,994 million investment will add 94 of the new trains to TfL’s existing rolling stock.
Passengers will have been expecting to get to try out the new trains by the end of the year, before TfL revised its target due to difficulties with integrating the newer trains with the older Tube network. A TfL programmes and Investment Committee document said: “This revised date range reflects uncertainty and risks across the key enablers that support the introduction of this first train.
“These include train, system and infrastructure readiness and integrated system testing and assurance as outlined above. 5.6 Review points have been identified in the plan that will enable a health check of the schedule at strategic points between now and early 2026 to help to further refine this window.”
But the public can rest assured that the project is still moving forward full steam ahead, with a “rigorous programme of testing” taking place.
The first trains were trialled on the Tube network last weekend between Northfields and Park Corner. Video posted to X by the Mayor of London shows the sleek new trains pulling into the platform of a Piccadilly line station.
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 first test runs have taken place on the Piccadilly line between Northfields and Hyde Park Corner. 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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