Siemens Mobility has confirmed that 80 percent of the new Piccadilly line trains for Transport for London (TfL) will now be assembled in Goole, Yorkshire.
This marks a significant increase from the manufacturer’s initial commitment of 50 percent.
The new train factory in Goole is scheduled to open in Spring 2024 and will create up to 700 jobs. This is part of Siemens’ 200 million GBP investment in the wider “rail village” at this site.
The Goole rail village includes assembly and commissioning halls, a train components servicing facility, a materials and logistics warehouse and the Rail Accelerator & Innovation Solutions Hub for Enterprise (RAISE), which establishes Goole as a centre of excellence for rail technology.
Here, Siemens will assemble rolling stock for the UK market, starting with the new Piccadilly line trains. Subject to TfL securing government funding, new Bakerloo line trains will also be assembled at this site.
“For the first time Siemens Mobility will assemble trains here, in Britain. This is a truly exciting milestone not just for us but the industry and local economies as a whole. And the fact that we will be increasing the amount up to 80% of Piccadilly line Tube trains being assembled in Goole is a testament of our manufacturing capabilities.
“We are proud to be assembling these trains here in Yorkshire, which will transform rail travel for commuters and visitors to our great capital city. These next generation of walk-through, air conditioned, energy efficient Tube trains for Britain will be put together right here by the next generation of engineers.”
The new Piccadilly line trains are based on Siemens Mobility’s Inspiro metro train platform. They will increase capacity on the line by around 10 percent and are lighter than existing models to improve energy efficiency and provide a smoother ride.
The first of the new units has been delivered from Goole’s sister factory in Vienna and is undergoing testing in Germany, ahead of the the first train arriving in London this summer.
TfL will then conduct further infrastructure testing and integration before the new fleet enters passenger service in 2025.
“Producing more Piccadilly line trains in Goole will support local supply chains, clearly demonstrating how investment in transport in London benefits the whole of the UK. We have ensured that this development will not impact when the first train arrives for testing in London later this year, ahead of entering service in 2025, nor the planned timetable uplift in 2027.
“Subject to long-term certainty on Government funding, the factory in Goole is also expected to deliver a replacement fleet for the Bakerloo line, which at more than 50 years old is the oldest train in passenger service in the UK.”
