A third of District Line trains now refurbished

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New trains equipped with CCTV, dot matrix panels and fire retardant seats

Over one-third of all District line trains have now been refurbished by Metronet Rail, the company responsible for the upgrade of two-thirds of London Underground.

Last Saturday the 26th train out of a fleet of 75 was returned to service from Ealing Common Depot. This was a milestone in more ways than one as it was precisely this train that was the very first to roll off the production line back in the late 1970s.

The trains are being updated at a cost of more than £1 million each and will re-enter service at the rate of around one a fortnight.

The refurbished rolling stock has completely renewed interiors, CCTV cameras inside, dot matrix display panels, fire retardant seats and flooring, and accessibility measures, including tip-up seats to accommodate wheelchairs, buggies and luggage.

Painted on the outside in London Underground's distinctive red, white and blue livery they have been mistaken by passengers as completely new trains.

The updates have been well received by commuters who stated in a survey carried out by London Underground and published last month, that the trains were much more comfortable, spacious and clean with better customer information and lighting.

The trains are being taken by road from Metronet's depot at Ealing Common to be refurbished by Bombardier Transportation at a specialist facility in Derby.

Metronet have stated that they will replace the entire District line fleet with new air-conditioned trains from 2013.

September 12, 2006