New to the Metropolitan line in 1960, the A Stock was at the cutting of technology at the time and had the hard task of replacing the Met's Bobo-electric loco hauled services from the City to Rickmansworth, and the subsequent steam services beyond up to Amersham and Chesham with the extension of electrification. They were built in 4 car sets, but have usually operated in 8 car formations, comprised of two sets, 4+4. They operated in 4 car sets during off peak times on the main line in the 20th century, and on the Chesham shuttle, which ceased in December 2011. In addition, A Stock was also used as 4 car trains on the East London Line, where the underground stations required the short formation of stock, especially at Wapping and Rotherhithe.
The A Stock has been the mainstay of the Metropolitan line from the 1960s up until 2012 when it was replaced by new 8 car sub-surface stock, S Stock built by Bombardier. The A Stock also saw life on the East London Line towards the end of the 20th Century up until December 2007 when the line was closed for refurbishment and extension works to become part of the new London Overground network, which opened in April 2010.
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| A Stock unit 5088 stands at Shoreditch on the East London Line, two days prior to permanent closure of Shoreditch station. (© Tommy) |
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| A Stock unit 5110 at Amersham whilst operating heritage trips for the LU150 Trip to Metroland weekend in conjunction with the Rickmansworth Festival. (© Tommy) |
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| A Stock 5110 at Harrow-on-the-Hill, the "Home of the Metropolitan Line", whilst working the usual autumnal rail adhesion duties. (© Tommy) |
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| A Stock 5111 passes through North Ealing station on the Piccadilly line due to the very poor quality of rail which ultimately led to the closure of the Rayners Lane branch for a few days in November 2016, and contributing factor to the very limited service on the Piccadilly line in autumn 2016. (© Tommy) |
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| The future of the Metropolitan and Piccadilly line's rail adhesion lies in the hand of a converted 5 car D Stock 7010 and 7123. Unit 7123 is seen passing through South Harrow on a test run in December 2016. (© Tommy) |
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| The interior of the A Stock taken during the LU150 heritage rail tours in 2013. (© Tommy) |
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| The interior of the rail adhesion car 6030. Car 6030 is the only remaining unrefurbished car of A Stock still in existence, complete with original grab handles. (© LUL) |
The last passenger A Stock working on the Metropolitan line was in September 2012, a few days prior to the Farewell rail tour that covered all parts of the Met at the end of that September. Since then, three 4 car sets of A Stock have been retained for use on the Met as the rail adhesion train (RAT), one set operating, and two spares. The RAT operated as a 5 car train using the 4 car A Stock and rail adhesion carriage 6030 which was the only remaining unrefurbished car of A Stock still in existence. After the rail adhesion season in 2016, which is close to finish, the A Stock train will be finally retired from service and replaced for rail adhesion duties by a new converted 5 car D Stock train. This has been testing on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly during this year's leaf fall season and is due to be used from autumn 2017 on these two lines.
It is expected that at least two of the three sets of surviving sets of 4 car A Stock will be scrapped in the near future, with the fate of set 5110/1 unsure. LU/LTM preservation would be nice and many enthusiasts and staff alike would love to see one unit retained for LU rail tours but London Underground need to put operational requirements and running costs ahead of the fun and enjoyment for enthusiasts.
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