C-stock bows out

The last C-stock train has been withdrawn after 40 years of loyal service on the District line.

Over the past four years, air-conditioned S-stock trains have gradually been replacing the ageing fleet across the Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and Circle lines.

This week the last-remaining C-stock train travelled along the Edgware Road to Wimbledon branch for the final time.

Phil Hufton, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said: “These old trains have been great servants to the millions of people who have used the branch over the years. But after more than 40 years in service, it is now time for the next generation of trains that are walk through, air conditioned and more accessible to transport commuters for the next 40 years.

“We are carrying more passengers today than ever before, with more than 1.265 billion journeys made in the last year.

“Much work has already been done with the completion of the Victoria and Jubilee lines upgrades, which have provided increased reliability and capacity, and the Northern line modernisation will be completed later this year. However, we need to continue with investing and modernising the network to meet the growing demand of a rapidly increasing population.

“There is still much to do but, with each improvement that we are making, we are building a Tube network truly fit for the future.”

By 2016, 191 new trains will have been brought into service across the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.




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