Wabtec supplying Piccadilly underground upgrade program

Wabtec Corp. will supply Siemens Mobility with several products for the London Underground’s Piccadilly Upgrade Program.

The deal, valued at more than US$70 million, is for brakes, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC), passenger information systems, and third-rail current collectors.

Wabtec will supply Siemens Mobility with several products for the Piccadilly underground upgrade project.

“London Underground is one of the world’s busiest transit systems with millions of passenger journeys per day. As such, it requires the most reliable and efficient solutions to deliver the expected flawless transport for Londoners,” said Lilian Leroux, president of Wabtec’s Transit business. “These orders build upon our long-standing relationship with Siemens Mobility and will support one of the most modern and sustainable metros ever built.”

Wabtec will supply the components for 94 new trains as an initial order. The bogie brakes provide the London Underground with a weight savings of 250 kg reducing the train’s energy expenditure and offers a significant two-year extension on overhaul intervals helping increase availability and reduce maintenance costs. The sanding system also will increase safety by improving traction and adhesion in London’s demanding environment.

This order also marks the first time that trains in the London “Deep Tube” will be equipped with air conditioning systems. These systems are designed to reduce energy consumption compared to traditional offerings. In addition, the new passenger information system will create an exclusive passenger experience with clearer acoustics, bright modern and low energy displays, and comprehensive information displays for passengers.

Finally, the trains will be equipped with Wabtec’s third-rail current collectors, an innovative solution designed with resin moulding technology on selected components to reduce weight by more than 15 percent.

The Piccadilly Upgrade Program aims to replace the aging rolling stock, signaling and control systems across four lines. The first phase of the program is aiming at modernizing the fleet serving the Piccadilly Line with new trains.