Rolling Stock
Since 26 September 2012 all of the services on the line are provided by S Stock that were introduced in July 2010 to replace the A Stock. Eight carriages long, these trains are part of Bombardier's Movia family, with air-conditioning as the sub-surface tunnels (unlike those on the deep-level tube lines) being able to disperse the exhausted hot air, and in any case a high proportion of the Metropolitan line is in the open air. These trains also have regenerative brakes, returning around 20% of their energy to the network and thus reducing energy consumption.
The trains have faster acceleration than previous rolling stock, at 1.3 m/s2, but their top speed is capped at 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). The new 8-car trains have fewer seats — 306 compared with 448 in the A Stock, but is capable of accommodating more standing passengers — 697, compared with 597 in A Stock and has dedicated space for wheelchairs. It is planned to increase the traction voltage from the present nominal 630 V to 750 V to give better performance and allow the trains to return more energy to the network through their regenerative brakes.
Read more about this topic: Metropolitan Line
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