London Underground Standard Stock
Encyclopedia
The Standard Stock title was applied to a variety of Tube stock built between 1923 and 1934, all of which shared the same basic characteristics, but with some detailed differences. This design is also sometimes referred to as 1923 Tube Stock or Pre 1938 Stock. Most of the Standard Stock was built to replace the first generation of "Gate Stock" Tube trains or to provide additional trains for extensions built in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Standard Stock cars consisted of motor cars (with a driver's cab, behind which was a "switch compartment" occupying approximately one-third of the length of the car), plus trailer cars and "control trailers" (with a driving cab but no motor). All were equipped with air operated sliding doors, although the guard's door on the earlier trains was a manually operated inward-opening hinged door.
Each builder was allowed to build a trailer car to its own design. The control trailer was designed by the Underground Electric Railways
.
The stock became known as the 1922 Stock or Competition Stock and was considered part of the Standard stock fleet.
to Edgware
and from Clapham to Morden
in 1923, as well as incorporating the rebuilt former City and South London Railway. In the late 1930s, the Standard Stock on the Northern Line was replaced by new trains of 1938 Stock
, although some Standard Stock trains continued to be used on the Moorgate-Finsbury Park "Highbury Branch" - also known as the Northern City Line
- until the mid 1960s. The displaced Northern Line trains were largely transferred to the Central Line.
by the Union Construction Company at Feltham in 1927. Following the introduction of trains to Uxbridge
, further batches of Standard Stock were built in 1931 and 1934; these were notable for having additional single-leaf doors at the end of the cars. The Standard Stock on the Piccadilly Line was eventually replaced by the 1959 Stock
.
in the late 1930s, to replace that line's original trains built in 1900-1903 and to provide additional rolling stock for the extensions to West Ruislip, Epping
and Hainault
. As further trains became available, seven-car trains were gradually augmented to eight cars. The Standard Stock on the Central Line proved increasingly unreliable during the 1950s, partly because many cars had been stored for several years pending the opening of the extensions (delayed by World War II). A fire in a switch compartment highlighted the need to replace these trains, leading to the purchase of the 1962 Stock
.
to replace the Watford Joint Stock
. In 1938 a batch of 1927-built trailers (usually referred to as “58 trailers” because of the number of cars in the group rather than a year reference, as was normally the case with Tube stock classes) were converted to operate with the then-new 1938 Stock
on the Bakerloo line
.
During the 1960s most of the railways on the Isle of Wight
were closed. The Ryde Pier Head–Shanklin section (the Island Line
) was retained and electrified, but because of the low tunnel at Ryde smaller-than-normal trains were required.
Following withdrawal by London Transport, some Standard Stock cars were sold to British Rail
for use on the Isle of Wight
, initially becoming their Classes 451 and 452
. They were later reclassified becoming Classes 486 and 485
. These units survived until early 1990s, when they were replaced by London Underground 1938 Stock
.
Several of the LTM owned cars are now being restored, and it is hoped that they will be formed into a four-car unit (as with the Museum's 1938 tube stock preserved unit).
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Standard Stock cars consisted of motor cars (with a driver's cab, behind which was a "switch compartment" occupying approximately one-third of the length of the car), plus trailer cars and "control trailers" (with a driving cab but no motor). All were equipped with air operated sliding doors, although the guard's door on the earlier trains was a manually operated inward-opening hinged door.
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1922 Stock prototype cars
For evaluation purposes, in anticipation of the large number of cars that were to be built over the next several years, six cars were ordered and delivered in 1922. There were five trailers and one control trailer, the train being hauled by "Gate Stock" driving motor cars.Each builder was allowed to build a trailer car to its own design. The control trailer was designed by the Underground Electric Railways
Underground Electric Railways Company of London
The Underground Electric Railways Company of London Limited , known operationally as The Underground for much of its existence, was established in 1902. It was the holding company for the three deep-level "tube"A "tube" railway is an underground railway constructed in a circular tunnel by the use...
.
The stock became known as the 1922 Stock or Competition Stock and was considered part of the Standard stock fleet.
Northern Line
The earliest Standard Stock was built for use on the Hampstead tube, which was extended from Golders GreenGolders Green tube station
Golders Green tube station is a London Underground station in Golders Green, north London. The station is on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line between Hampstead and Brent Cross...
to Edgware
Edgware tube station
Edgware tube station is a London Underground station in Edgware, in the London Borough of Barnet, in North London. The station is the terminus of the Edgware branch of the Northern Line and the next station towards central London is . Edgware is in Travelcard Zone 5.-Location:The station is in...
and from Clapham to Morden
Morden tube station
Morden is a London Underground station in Morden in the London Borough of Merton. The station is the southern terminus for the Northern line and is the most southerly station on the Underground network. The next station north is...
in 1923, as well as incorporating the rebuilt former City and South London Railway. In the late 1930s, the Standard Stock on the Northern Line was replaced by new trains of 1938 Stock
London Underground 1938 Stock
The 1938 Tube Stock is a London Underground tube stock design. The trains were built by Metro-Cammell and Birmingham RC&W, and were used on the London Underground until 1988. During their long lives they worked on the Bakerloo, Piccadilly, Northern, East London and Central lines...
, although some Standard Stock trains continued to be used on the Moorgate-Finsbury Park "Highbury Branch" - also known as the Northern City Line
Northern City Line
The Northern City Line is a railway line from Moorgate to Finsbury Park in London, once part of the Great Northern Electrics line. It should not be confused with the City branch of the Northern line, nor with the North London Line...
- until the mid 1960s. The displaced Northern Line trains were largely transferred to the Central Line.
Piccadilly Line
A batch of trains was built for the Piccadilly tubeGreat Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway
The Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway , also known as the Piccadilly tube, was a railway company established in 1902 that constructed a deep-level underground "tube" railway in London. The GNP&BR was formed through a merger of two older companies, the Brompton and Piccadilly Circus...
by the Union Construction Company at Feltham in 1927. Following the introduction of trains to Uxbridge
Uxbridge tube station
Uxbridge is a London Underground station in Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon, north-west London. The station is the terminus of the Uxbridge branches of both the Metropolitan Line and the Piccadilly Line. The next station towards London is Hillingdon. The station is 15.5 miles west of...
, further batches of Standard Stock were built in 1931 and 1934; these were notable for having additional single-leaf doors at the end of the cars. The Standard Stock on the Piccadilly Line was eventually replaced by the 1959 Stock
London Underground 1959 Stock
The 1959 Tube Stock was a type of London Underground tube train constructed in the late 1950s. They were intended for use on the Piccadilly line, but also saw use on several other tube lines...
.
Central Line
Standard Stock displaced from other lines was transferred to the Central LineCentral Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
in the late 1930s, to replace that line's original trains built in 1900-1903 and to provide additional rolling stock for the extensions to West Ruislip, Epping
Epping tube station
Epping on the London Underground is the north-eastern terminus of the Central Line. The station before Epping is Theydon Bois, which is about three minutes travelling time away. Epping station is in the Epping Forest District of Essex...
and Hainault
Hainault tube station
Hainault is a London Underground station on the Central Line in Hainault in the London Borough of Redbridge. Since 2 January 2007 the station is in Travelcard Zone 4. This station is home to one of the three Central Line depots.-History:...
. As further trains became available, seven-car trains were gradually augmented to eight cars. The Standard Stock on the Central Line proved increasingly unreliable during the 1950s, partly because many cars had been stored for several years pending the opening of the extensions (delayed by World War II). A fire in a switch compartment highlighted the need to replace these trains, leading to the purchase of the 1962 Stock
London Underground 1962 Stock
The 1962 Tube Stock was a type of London Underground tube train built for use on the Central line. They were used on the Central line between 1962 and 1995.-Construction:The 1962 Stock was built by Birmingham RC&W for use on the Central Line...
.
Bakerloo Line
In 1930 a batch of Standard Stock (known as the Watford Replacement Stock) was delivered to the Bakerloo tubeBaker Street and Waterloo Railway
The Baker Street and Waterloo Railway , also known as the Bakerloo tube, was a railway company established in 1893 that constructed a deep-level underground "tube" railway in London...
to replace the Watford Joint Stock
London Underground Watford Joint Stock
The Watford Joint Tube Stock was built for the service to Watford along both the Bakerloo tube and the London North Western Railway. As a result, the cars were owned by both the Underground and the London North Western Railway. To be able to operate on both lines, the car floors were higher than...
. In 1938 a batch of 1927-built trailers (usually referred to as “58 trailers” because of the number of cars in the group rather than a year reference, as was normally the case with Tube stock classes) were converted to operate with the then-new 1938 Stock
London Underground 1938 Stock
The 1938 Tube Stock is a London Underground tube stock design. The trains were built by Metro-Cammell and Birmingham RC&W, and were used on the London Underground until 1988. During their long lives they worked on the Bakerloo, Piccadilly, Northern, East London and Central lines...
on the Bakerloo line
Bakerloo Line
The Bakerloo line is a line of the London Underground, coloured brown on the Tube map. It runs partly on the surface and partly at deep level, from Elephant and Castle in the south-east to Harrow & Wealdstone in the north-west of London. The line serves 25 stations, of which 15 are underground...
.
Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
were closed. The Ryde Pier Head–Shanklin section (the Island Line
Island Line, Isle of Wight
The Island Line is a railway line on the Isle of Wight, running some from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin down the eastern side of the island. The line was electrified in 1967. Trains connect with passenger ferries to Portsmouth Harbour at Ryde Pier Head, and these ferries in turn connect with the...
) was retained and electrified, but because of the low tunnel at Ryde smaller-than-normal trains were required.
Following withdrawal by London Transport, some Standard Stock cars were sold to British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
for use on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
, initially becoming their Classes 451 and 452
British Rail Class 485
The British Rail Class 485 and British Rail Class 486 electrical multiple units were original built for the London Electric Railway from 1923-31 as their 'Standard' tube stock...
. They were later reclassified becoming Classes 486 and 485
British Rail Class 485
The British Rail Class 485 and British Rail Class 486 electrical multiple units were original built for the London Electric Railway from 1923-31 as their 'Standard' tube stock...
. These units survived until early 1990s, when they were replaced by London Underground 1938 Stock
London Underground 1938 Stock
The 1938 Tube Stock is a London Underground tube stock design. The trains were built by Metro-Cammell and Birmingham RC&W, and were used on the London Underground until 1988. During their long lives they worked on the Bakerloo, Piccadilly, Northern, East London and Central lines...
.
Preservation
Several vehicles have been preserved:
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Several of the LTM owned cars are now being restored, and it is hoped that they will be formed into a four-car unit (as with the Museum's 1938 tube stock preserved unit).
External links
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