London Transport Museum forced to cancel heritage event after vintage train vandalised

The London Transport Museum was forced to cancel a vintage train ride after its “beautifully restored” 1938 Underground train was vandalised.

Train lovers were looking forward to a 50-minute ride along the Piccadilly Line on the old Tube as part of the museum's planned heritage event on Sunday.

But the event had to be cancelled after the 86-year-old train was damaged.

Tube enthusiasts had been invited to “step aboard a beautifully restored 1938 burgundy Underground train and be treated to a trip across central London on the Piccadilly line”.

Passengers were due to travel from Acton Town station along the central London section of the Piccadilly line to Oakwood station.

As part of the event passengers would hear from an expert museum curator about how the train is maintained and at one station visitors were due to be given a mini talk about the architect Charles Holden.

Elizabeth McKay, Director and CEO of London Transport Museum said: “We’re devastated that our planned heritage journeys on Sunday 9 June had to be cancelled due to vandalism to our beautifully restored 1938 Tube Stock train on Friday night.

“We know how disappointing this will be for our ticketholders and will be working with the British Transport Police to investigate. Our heritage Tube train operations are a wonderful way for the public to experience the history of the capital and the proceeds from ticket sales support our work as an education and heritage charity.

“It is truly disappointing that vandals would seek to ruin this experience for people and cause damage to such an iconic, heritage vehicle.

“We will be working with London Underground specialists and conservators to understand the extent of the damage and return the train to its former glory.”