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Transplant operate a fleet of service stock vehicles which fulfil a wide variety of tasks.

The following collections are broken down into the respective types and classes; indeed some are 'one off's' and have been built or adapted for the specific job they do.

Again, much of the information I detail here has been gleaned from Brian Hardy's book 'London Underground Rolling Stock' which covers each type (and more) in further detail.

TUNNEL CLEANING TRAIN

The Tunnel Cleaning Train is a unique set and is effectively a series of two motor cars which draw three trailer cars that act as a huge vacuum cleaner.

The cars are numbered TCC1 to TCC5, the first and last being the Driving Motor Cars which were converted from 1938 Tube Stock Units, TCC1 being ex-10226 and TCC5 being ex-10087.  They are also equipped with Automatic Train Protection (ATP) equipment which enables them to operate on the Central Line.

TCC3 and TCC4 are Dust Extractor Cars and TCC3 is a Heavy Refuse Car; these three were built between 1972 and 1977 at Acton Works.

By the nature of its work it's very much a creature of the night and is rarely seen in daylight. I'm told (though have never experienced it) that if you operate the first train in a morning after its passed through the tunnel, the residual dust left behind hanging in the air is quite dense!

These photos are even more interesting in that when taken the train was 'broken down' into its individual cars for maintenance and overhaul.

TRACK RECORDING TRAIN

This train is another 'one off', comprising two 1960 Tube Stock DMC's  numbered L132 and L133, previously having been 3901 3905 respectively as the pilot cars and  a single Track recording Car, numbered TRC666 which had formerly been 1973 Tube Stock trailer car 514. 

All were converted in 1987.  The DMC's have Buckeye couplers fitted at their inner ends at main line height; the trailer has similar couplers at both ends. Additionally the DMC's are equipped with ATP and the whole train is painted in a modified 'corporate' livery.

The trailer car is equipped with a fit of fairly high tech recording equipment which involves the use of high intensity lights and lasers and it travels the system looking for defects in the track. It is to be seen round the system in traffic hours.

Tube Troll tells me that, although he has supplied these pictures, only the second in the series is his own; two of the others (he's not informed me of which) were taken by Richard Griffin (thanks Richard) and the others were sourced from elsewhere - possibly from Anorak Heaven - but I'd be happy to credit them if I get a claim of ownership!

WEED KILLING TRAIN

The last in this series of 'one off' trains, is the Weed Killer.

Again, converted from 1938 Tube Stock, L150 was formerly 10327 (and prior to that 90327) and L151 was formerly 11327 (and prior to that 11327). They were converted at Acton works in 1978.

As with the Track Recording Train it will be seen around the system during traffic hours, though obviously spends most of its time in open sections, but will of course travel through covered sections to reach it's area of operation.

What was formerly the passenger areas of the two cars house the tanks and pumps to enable it to do its job.

The mixture it sprays is, to say the least, slippery, and following this train around is not a pleasant experience from a driver's point of view. Rail adhesion is minimal, and causes many a heart-stopping moment when one finds that all the wheels of your train seem to have locked as you brake approaching a station or signal at danger!

ALL THREE TOGETHER!

When I received this collection of photos from Tube Troll, I was a little intrigued as to why one 'album' was entitled 'TWAT'! However, on exploration, I find it to be a collection of photos of all three of the trains above together.

I therefore assume that it must mean Tunnel Cleaning, Weed Killer And Track Recording Trains together; at least I'll give him the benefit of the doubt!

Update on this!  Tube Troll has enlightened me further on the point; I can do no better than to quote from his e-mail to me:

'On the engineers page, the folder is entitled TWAT because the group of drivers that drive these three trains, and are distinct group seperate from the main engineers drivers group because of the specialist knowledge required to operate these beasts, these drivers are known as the TWAT LINK, for the reason you suspect, the Tunnel cleaning, Weedkilling And Track recording.'

However, they make up a most unusual collection to be seen together at one time!

Captions are unnecessary I think!