Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The conversion to CBTC* computerised signalling between Finchley Road and Preston Road railway stations on the London Underground Metropolitan line has unleashed the trains' full potentials of faster acceleration and a higher top speed (62 mph / 100 km/h).
In theory this will make travel faster, although other factors (such as track geometry and closely spaced trains approaching a station) often require lower speed limits at some locations.
*CBTC = communications-based train control
This film rides a Metropolitan line S8 Subsurface train on a non-stop off-peak journey from Willesden Green to Finchley Road stations, and also includes a cross-platform interchange to a Jubilee line 1996 tube train (note the use of a countdown timer for the door opening delay).
It is best seen as a sampler demonstrating the faster speeds - note that there are still speed restrictions muzzling (holding back) the trains as they pass through the Neasden area.
Using the new signalling system the journey time on the non-stop run from Wembley Park to Finchley Road is now almost as quick as it was several decades ago, when the Metropolitan line used A stock trains which had slower acceleration but a faster top speed of 70 mph (112 km/h). This validates the concept that whilst faster acceleration (and better braking) are highly beneficial for short urban journeys between closely-spaced stations, a higher top speed is more useful for outer suburban travel between widely-spaced stations.
The conversion to CBTC* computerised signalling between Finchley Road and Preston Road railway stations on the London Underground Metropolitan line has unleashed the trains' full potentials of faster acceleration and a higher top speed (62 mph / 100 km/h).
In theory this will make travel faster, although other factors (such as track geometry and closely spaced trains approaching a station) often require lower speed limits at some locations.
*CBTC = communications-based train control
This film rides a Metropolitan line S8 Subsurface train on a non-stop off-peak journey from Willesden Green to Finchley Road stations, and also includes a cross-platform interchange to a Jubilee line 1996 tube train (note the use of a countdown timer for the door opening delay).
It is best seen as a sampler demonstrating the faster speeds - note that there are still speed restrictions muzzling (holding back) the trains as they pass through the Neasden area.
Using the new signalling system the journey time on the non-stop run from Wembley Park to Finchley Road is now almost as quick as it was several decades ago, when the Metropolitan line used A stock trains which had slower acceleration but a faster top speed of 70 mph (112 km/h). This validates the concept that whilst faster acceleration (and better braking) are highly beneficial for short urban journeys between closely-spaced stations, a higher top speed is more useful for outer suburban travel between widely-spaced stations.
