London Underground A60 and A62 stock

The A Stock (also known as the A60 and A62 Stocks) is the type of train used on the Metropolitan Line of the London Underground. It was built in two batches (A60 and A62) by Cravens of Sheffield in the early 1960s. The trains replaced all the previous stock then used on the Metropolitan Line (such as F Stock, P Stock, T Stock and locomotive hauled carriages). The A Stock is due to be replaced by new trains of S Stock from 2010.

The A Stock is currently the oldest type of train in passenger service on London Underground, and the last rolling stock to have independent motoring and braking controls.

Development and introduction

The core design of the A Stock was formulated by W S Graff-Baker of the London Passenger Transport Board as part of the electrification of the Metropolitan Line from to and under the 1935–1940 New Works Programme. The project was delayed by the events of World War II and the lack of funds available during the austerity period which followed the war: however, in 1946 two experimental trailers similar in exterior appearance to the production trains were built using underframes of the T Stock. The trailers were scrapped when the trials concluded.

When the electrification project commenced in 1959, London Transport placed an order for 31 trains of the A60 Stock, which were built by Cravens of Sheffield. The first A Stock units (5004...
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