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Underground-Symbol-Small.gif (1234 bytes)Tubeprune - The Tube Professionals' Rumour Network
Tubeprune is an unofficial web site for professional railway people working for London Underground and for those interested in the London Underground railway system.  To the Tubeprune Home Page


Refurbished 1973 Tube Stock Photos

Fig. 1:  Refurbished 1973 Tube Stock Exterior

73 TS irefurb at EC Dt.jpg (38807 bytes)

The 1973 Tube Stock was refurbished in the mid-1990s and was turned out in the new standard corporate livery of red, white and blue with a grey roof.  Here, one is seen at Ealing Common depot.

At the front, there is a new central escape stairway, which is incorporated into the front end door ( M door).   This can be quickly deployed to allow a speedy evacuation on to the track.

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Fig. 2:  Photo of the Interior of a Refurbished 1973 Tube Stock Car

73 TS Interior 2.JPG (60791 bytes)

This is the interior of a 1973 Tube Stock car showing all longitudinal seating and the new colour scheme adopted.  Lighting has been redesigned and covered fluorescent tubes provided.  A new, roof mounted ventilation system has also been fitted.

A long standing argument within LU has surrounded the question of car lighting design.  Covered lamps do look better when new but they do get dirty very quickly and there are always some which show signs of condensation inside.  The covers have to be secure but they must be easily removable for cleaning and lamp changing.

Bare lamps are much easier to maintain and clean.  They may not have the visual appeal of the covered lamp but they look better than dirty and stained covers.  They always look brighter and could therefore be reduced in number compared with covered lights.  Tubeprune suggests that, unless a lot of money is spent on cleaning and maintenance, bare tubes are better.

One feature of the refurbished 1973 Tube Stock interiors is the window lock.  These can be seen on one side near the bottom of each interior window.  They were provided because of the problem of the interior panes swinging open while trains were in service.  This was due to the flexing of the car body shell whilst running over the rough track along much of the Piccadilly Line's open sections.

The windows are hinged at the top and have to be lifted to get to the cavity behind.  They are double glazed and are designed in this way to provide a pocket to allow doors to slide inside the cars.   Trains built in the 1990s have outside sliding doors and only single glazing.

Originally, the interior panes were designed to lift open and then be hooked into the "straps" provided along the ceiling for passengers to hold onto.  The glazing is heavy and this was awkward to do.  The straps were removed during refurbishment and the windows fitted with gas struts to make opening easier.  The new locks were added to secure the window against springing open while the train is moving.

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