BACK in February 2015, a Transport for London document proposed the ‘Central Line Heavy Overhaul Programme Lift’, or HOPL.
It noted that the Central Line 92 Tube Stock [TS] fleet was already the “worst performing fleet on the LU network”, due to “poor design or obsolescence”. It primarily focussed on overhauling existing components, to extend the passenger service life of the 92 TS trains until between 2028-31. The proposed HOPL would be completed by August 1, 2017, at an estimated cost (at 2015 prices), of £123.16 million. This matched the timing of the New Tube for London (NTfL) project, that was in its infancy.
However, the project scope soon expanded. To remain in service the 92 TS would need to incorporate Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) 2010 legislation, which focused upon accessibility, with the same work also needing to be undertaken on the five Waterloo & City Line trains of similar design. Whilst some components could still be overhauled or replaced if in a degraded state, why not invest a little more to improve reliability? Consequently, in March 2017, TfL’s Programmes and Investment Committee was presented with the ‘London Underground Rolling Stock Renewals Programme’ seeking £314m of funding at 2017 prices.
The proposed work has gone significantly beyond just RVAR, which includes
