Old coal mine to test new Tubes

As we get nearer and nearer to warmer weather it's good to hear further steps towards air conditioning on the Tube. Or rather further steps to testing air conditioning.


A former coal mine at the town famous for its pork pies, Melton Mowbray, in Leicester is going be the test-bed for new stock. Mark Loader of Metronet said of the former Ashfordby Mine: "The test site will enable us to really prove the reliability of these new trains. We'll be able to simulate six months to a year's service in only one month. That means a more reliable train for Tube travellers when they enter service."

If all goes welll, the air conditioned trains are due to begin service on the Metropolitan line from 2009.

But this begs the question, are they going to use Londoners or Midlanders as guinea pigs? Who's likely to be a better control group for withstanding heat?