Q-Stock

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Q-stock was built in the 1920s and 1930s to two very different designs. The earlier cars show the American influence on early Underground operation, with their characteristic stepped “clerestory” roofs. Later Q-stock cars have an “Art deco” look with flared sides. Q-stock operated principally on the District Line, which has recently celebrated the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first section of this Line.
 
One of the earlier Q-stock cars is on display at the London Transport Museum at Covent Garden.
 
There are four other Q-stock cars in the Museum collection. They are:

• 4416/17, built in 1938, and withdrawn from passenger service in 1972.
• 08063, built in 1936, withdrawn from passenger service in 1971, and presented to the Museum in 1997.
• 4184 dating from 1923 and withdrawn in 1971. 

The initial aim of the current Q-stock project is to restore three of the cars to operational condition.

Phase 1 involves restoration of the two Q38 driving motor cars 4416 and 4417, along with Q35 trailer 08063, which is already close to operational condition.  Phase 2, restoration of Q23 4184, could then be undertaken once the three car train is operational, facilitated by a further fundraising campaign (though other heritage rail projects could take precedence).

 

Project Update: September 2026

Car 4417 (one of two flair-sided Q38 cars) has been restored externally and internally by volunteers within the Depot. The volunteers have now completed similar work on Q38 car 4416. Both motor cars need extensive work by contractors on traction motors and other equipment below the floor, as will, to a lesser extent, trailer car 08068. A specification for this work was prepared and a contract placed in August 2024. The two motor cars are now at  Rampart Engineering where further restoration work is under way.

The Q-stock train, once restored, will need to operate with brake vans acting as “match wagons” for some movements. A contract to restore two brake vans in the Museum collection for this purpose was placed in 2023 and the work has now been completed by Rampart Engineering in Derbyshire. One of the restored brake vans has returned to Acton Depot and the second will follow later in 2026. See News section for pictures. 

 

Watch Brake Van B584 being collected from Acton Depot in the Members area of our website here

 

Funding for the Q-stock project is being underwritten by the Friends in conjunction with the Museum. Further donations welcome!

Plans are being finalised for the time period to which individual cars will be restored. These dates will vary from car to car, to allow different stories to be presented on the role Q-stock played in major events, such as the World War 2 evacuation and 1948 London Olympics.

If all goes to plan, it is hoped to have the restoration of the three cars completed by late 2026 and for the train to be operated on special trips in 2027 afer extensive operational testing.

 

 

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