Further Delays to Introduction of New Piccadilly Line Trains
Upgraded stock now unlikely to appear until next year
The new trains are anticipated to deliver a major boost to capacity. Picture: TfL
February 27, 2026
A second major delay to the introduction of the new Piccadilly line trains has been confirmed, with Transport for London pushing back the rollout to the first half of 2027. The update was first reported by Rail Magazine, which revealed that both TfL and manufacturer Siemens Mobility are grappling with further “complexities” in the testing and build programme.
The new fleet of 94 trains was originally due to enter service in late 2025, replacing stock that has been running since 1973. In June 2025, TfL and Siemens announced the first postponement, shifting the expected introduction to late 2026. According to Rail Magazine, the schedule has now slipped again, with the first trains not expected to carry passengers until early to mid‑2027.
The delays stem from issues uncovered during the intensive testing phase. The initial setback was attributed to problems identified during trials, and the latest postponement is linked to the same testing complexities, compounded by the challenge of integrating new technology with infrastructure that in some places is nearly 120 years old.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s chief capital officer, told Rail Magazine that both organisations must be “confident in the train’s safety before any rollout,” describing the programme as “hugely complex” and underpinned by a “steadfast commitment to safety.” He said teams were working “intensely” to resolve the issues and emphasised that the new trains would ultimately transform journeys once introduced.
So far, Siemens Mobility has delivered four trains, which are undergoing weekend and overnight testing on the Piccadilly line. Some units have already required modifications to ensure compatibility with the line’s ageing infrastructure. The extended testing period will also determine whether further software or systems changes are needed.
Aglaja Schneider, joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UKI, said that while the delay was disappointing, “it won’t be long before these trains transform travel for millions of people.”
The new fleet forms part of a wider £2.9 billion modernisation programme. The trains will be the first deep‑level Tube stock to feature walk‑through carriages and air‑conditioning, offering increased capacity, improved accessibility and more reliable performance. It is hoped they will boost the capacity of the line from 25 to 27 trains an hour and the carriages can carry 10% more passengers. A majority of the units will be built at Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village in East Yorkshire.
Testing will continue over the coming months, with further closures and engineering works expected as part of the rollout preparation.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |