Piccadilly line timetable updated to allow daytime testing of new trains

"The new tube trains have been running tests along the Piccadilly line for a bit over a year, ensuring they interface with the stations and signalling and allowing adjustments where necessary. However, the test runs have so far only been during engineering hours when the line is closed to passenger services."

"The latest Piccadilly line timetable, introduced this week, includes a number of changes to accommodate new Piccadilly line times running tests during normal passenger service hours. At the moment, it's just reserving the slots in the timetable, so it's no guarantee that a train will run when it could - only that if they were to, then that's when it would happen."

"The test runs have been introduced during off-peak hours Monday to Friday and can run from either the Northfields or Cockfosters Depots. The latest working timetable shows some very early hours slots reserved for test trains, then fairly regular slots throughout the day and a few later at night."

"The new trains are expected to start carrying passengers in the first half of next year, though there is a window to bring them into service by the end of this year. In related news, the Piccadilly line's Arnos Grove Sidings are now closed to enable rebuilding works for the Piccadilly Line Upgrade project, with trains generally being temporarily relocated to Northfields."

New Piccadilly line trains have been tested for over a year using trial runs along the line, focusing on station and signalling interfaces and allowing adjustments. Testing previously occurred only during engineering hours when passenger services were suspended. A new Piccadilly line timetable introduced this week reserves test-train slots during normal passenger service hours, including off-peak periods Monday to Friday. Reserved slots are not a guarantee that a train will run, only that a test train would run in those times if needed. Test runs can start from Northfields or Cockfosters Depots, with early, regular, and late-night reserved slots. Passenger service is expected in the first half of next year, with a possible earlier start by the end of this year. Arnos Grove Sidings are closed for rebuilding, with trains temporarily relocated to Northfields.

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