Summary
London Underground L Stock was a clerestory-roofed rail stock built for the District line in 1932 and subsequently absorbed into the London Underground Q Stock, being redesignated Q31 Stock.
| L Stock | |
|---|---|
| In service | 1931–1971 |
| Manufacturer | UCC |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 49 ft 8 in (15.14 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 11+5⁄16 in (2,726 mm) |
| Height | 12 ft 3+1⁄2 in (3,746 mm) |
| Weight | 34.08 long tons (34.63 t; 38.17 short tons) |
| Seating | 42 |
| Notes/references | |
 London transport portal | |
History edit
The L Stock trains were built to provide additional rolling stock for the eastward extension of the District Line from Barking to Upminster.[1] Two new electrified tracks were added parallel to the existing steam-operated LMS lines, including several new stations such as Upminster Bridge.
Forty-five cars were built by the Union Construction Company, eight were driving motor cars and the rest were trailers. An innovation for surface stock was the provision of a sliding door at the guard's position.[1] The eight motor cars, numbered 700-714 (even numbers only), were initially owned by the London Midland and Scottish Railway.[2]
The L Stock was based on the 1927 K Stock.
Fate edit
The conversion from L Stock to Q31 Stock took place in the late 1930s, with the major modifications being the conversion of the hand-operated sliding doors to air operation and the provision of electro-pneumatic brakes.[3] The last Q Stock trains were withdrawn in 1971.
References edit
- ^ a b Bruce, J Graeme (1983). Steam to Silver (Fully revised ed.). Harrow Weald, Middlesex: Capital Transport. p. 88. ISBN 0-904711-45-5.
- ^ Bruce, J Graeme (1983). Steam to Silver (Fully revised ed.). Harrow Weald, Middlesex: Capital Transport. p. 89. ISBN 0-904711-45-5.
- ^ Bruce, J Graeme (1983). Steam to Silver (Fully revised ed.). Harrow Weald, Middlesex: Capital Transport. p. 96. ISBN 0-904711-45-5.