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1938 Tube Stock UNDM
Fig. 1: UNDM Coupled to DM
London Transport official photo.
A new type of car arrived with the 1938 Tube Stock. This was known as an UNDM. It was a motor car with a shunting control position in place of a full driver's cab. It provided a simple uncoupling point without the loss of valuable passenger space to a driver's cab. Here, an UNDM, No 31017 built in 1949, is shown coupled to a conventional cab-ended unit. The UNDM has since become a common feature of Underground train formations.The UNDM has a shunting control position at the end where the automatic coupler is located, shown here. The position is in the end wall of the car on the side nearest the camera.
A feature of these cars is that some were delivered with a new type of shoegear, as shown in the above photo. There was no shoebeam. The shoe was attached to the bogie with insulated lifting gear. It didn't last and, some years later, they were all provided with conventional shoebeams.
Fig. 2: 1938 Tube Stock UNDM interior
London Transport official photo.
Interior of 1938 Tube Stock UNDM (actually some were built in 1949 and some were converted from existing NDM vehicles) showing the shunting control cabinet at the end of the car, just to the left of the end door, with the protective panel open. The driver operated the controls from a standing position at the centre doorway, where he uses the end window for a forward view. A push button controller was provided to make the driving easier from the offset standing position. The shunting controls were recovered from these cars when they were scrapped and used on 1972 Tube Stock UNDMs. They were replaced by a new type on the 1972 Stock when they were refurbished.This photo also shows a passenger door open button, a circular button next to the doorway. They were yellow, with a black rubber centre. Most stocks had them in the late 1940s but they were removed in the late 1950s because of the expense of maintianing them and because passengers didn't always understand how to use them.
Photos of other UNDMs on London Underground:
1973 Tube Stock UNDM on the move in Northfields Depot. Photo by Richard Randall.
1995 Tube Stock UNDM in Golders Green Depot. Photo by Richard Randall.
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Last updated 25th November 2009 © Copyright Tubeprune 2001 - 2009.
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