Jubilee line train upgrade stretches to New York and back

 

Tube Lines has reached a major upgrade milestone; all 63 Jubilee line trains have now been fitted with new signalling equipment and onboard computers required for the new signalling system.  Each train has undergone a complete rewiring of around 5,000 connections per train – this is over 10,000km of wiring, enough to go to New York and back!

 

Once the signalling upgrade project is complete at the end of 2009, faster journeys will increase capacity on the Jubilee line by 25% in 2010, and up to 30% on the Northern line by 2012 – both in time for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Tube Lines has worked hard to finish the work on the Jubilee line trains as quickly as possible in order to move onto the Northern line train upgrades with the team  reducing the time it took to complete each train from three months down to an average of just 15 days.

 

Tube Lines is using the latest technology to speed up passenger journeys.  The new signalling system uses a train-based computer that can connect with a special electrical induction loop between the rails and record each train’s position with pinpoint accuracy.  The system enables a train to report its location to a control centre to within centimetres.  In response, the centre sends out messages telling trains how fast they need to go to maintain a safe distance from the train in front.  It will mean that trains will no longer need to be spaced out according to fixed signalling blocks but can safely run closer together and move along the line much faster.  As the system is automatic, trains will ‘know’ where they are on the network.  They can pull into platforms at exactly the right spot without the drivers’ assistance.

 

Andrew Clark, Project Manager at Tube Lines said:

“Fitting out the Jubilee line trains with the new signalling equipment is a major milestone in the whole upgrade programme. Now we must switch our attention to the Northern line and repeat the whole process again, but this time on 106 trains.  By the time the Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive in London, the Jubilee and Northern line upgrades will be up and running and will mean quicker train rides for more passengers to events in East London and in particular to the Olympic Park in Stratford.”

 

Hugh Sumner, Transport Director for the Olympic Delivery Authority said:

“Tube Lines have done a fantastic job in upgrading the Jubilee Line trains so quickly.  The Jubilee line and the Northern line will both have a vital role to play in London 2012, and improvements to the system will benefit passengers not only for the Games, but will leave behind a positive legacy of improved transport for the Capital.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Press office, Tube Lines: 020 7088 4848 / 07843 551 589

Notes to Editors

1. Tube Lines is responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of the infrastructure on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines. London Underground is responsible for operating the Underground, for employing drivers and station staff, for ticketing and fares, and for the Tube’s safety regime.
2. The Tube Lines consortium consists of two shareholders – Amey and Bechtel. They bring together some of the most experienced providers of business services with specialist skills in the rail industry, including track and signal renewals, plus project and operational management. They are providing some of the best project and operational managers from around the world to work on the modernisation of the Tube system. Amey owns two-thirds of Tube Lines’ business and Bechtel one third.

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