London Underground’s first Chinese wagons shipped

London Underground becomes the first European metro system to take delivery of Chinese manufactured maintenance rolling stock from CRRC. The order which was placed three years ago is for 71 wagons to cover a variety of technical support roles. It is however a small order by comparison with the deal just signed with Etihad Rail in the Middle East, which will triple the size of its brand new freight fleet by adding 842 units to the Gulf operator’s roster.
The stock is not destined for the Crossrail project which, although destined to integrate with TfL services, is a separate operation, and part of the national UK network. A statement from CRRC said this was the first time that a European metro operator had ordered Chinese-built wagons, and recognised the UK as the ‘birthplace of the railway’.