1983 stock on the Piccadilly

[metman]

There was a plan many years ago in 1999 to convert 10 trains of 1983 batch two stock to run on the Piccadilly Line. As such most of the second batch were kept along with 16 batch one trailers.

What was the reason for the extra trailers? Where these going to be used to form UNDM? With the limited door openings I can see how two middle cabs would not be ideal!

I wonder if the two cab ends would be cut and replaced with the trailing ends? Would this have been possible? I assume it would be very difficult to move all the motor car equipment under a trailer?

Any thoughts?

[Ben]

Would this have been part of the rumoured plan to run Rayners-Acton as a shuttle? It is interesting to note that even twenty years ago it was recognised that the Pic had a deficient number of trains to run a full service reliably over its entirety. Indeed, the 1952 tube stock proposal would have entailed ~100 7car trains albeit for a 40tph service through the centre.

To state the obvious from the numbers, there would be 20 'middle' cabs, and 16 spare trailers, so presumably some butchering would have taken place. Your suggestion of changing the car body above solebar does seem far more likely than reconfiguring space below.

Perhaps Underground News wrote something on the topic contemporaneously?