New Piccadilly Line train destroyed on route to London depot

The train had just arrived in the UK from Germany via the Channel Tunnel when it was spray painted early on Monday morning (October 14).

It is part of a new fleet for Siemens’ Piccadilly line, the first of which will enter service next year.

British Transport Police confirmed they received reports of “criminal damage to several railway carriages” at 6.45am yesterday morning.

The vandalism is believed to have taken place at Latchmere Junction in Clapham. The train has since been cleaned and driven to its depot in west London.

@CrimeLdn @uknip247 @999London @obbsie @totalcrime @MattLCapon

Pictures posted on FB by Simon Roadnight

I’m not sure if this has been picked up yet, but it appears that the Piccadilly Line’s new rolling stock was daubed with graffiti on its way to London over the weekend when… pic.twitter.com/d4Tppj51Fi

— Crime Scene Pictures London (@csi_london) October 14, 2024

Images posted on social media showed yellow, blue and purple spray paint on the sides of some of the train’s carriages.

Police are investigating the incident and are asking anyone with information to text them on 61016, quoting reference number 75 of October 14.

In total, 94 air-conditioned trains will serve the Piccadilly line by 2028, increasing peak-period capacity by almost a quarter.

Testing of the first of these trains is expected to begin this year.

Part of the new fleet will be built at the Siemens factory in Vienna, the majority will be assembled in Goole, Yorkshire.