Transport for London S&B Wagon Overhaul for London Underground
Summary
Transport for London has issued a pipeline notice under the Procurement Act 2023 seeking a supplier for the comprehensive overhaul of 52 Spoil and Ballast (S&B) wagons for London Underground. The wagons, procured in 1996, require overhaul of brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork, fittings, and gauging to support safe continued operation. The contract is estimated to run three years from January 2027 with a possible one-year extension, and is designated as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The estimated publication date of the formal tender notice is 28 May 2026.
“The scope involves a comprehensive overhaul of all S&B wagons encompassing brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork, fittings, gauging and brake performance checks, as well as any repair works arising from the condition assessment undertaken during the overhaul process.”
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What changed
Transport for London has published a pipeline notice indicating an upcoming competitive procurement for the overhaul of 52 S&B wagons used in London Underground maintenance operations. The scope encompasses brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork, fittings, gauging, and brake performance checks, with the objective of returning all wagons to reliable operation for a minimum of eight years. The estimated contract period runs from January 2027 to January 2030, with an option to extend through January 2031. The notice is designated as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and is classified as a utilities special regime procurement above the applicable threshold. Suppliers interested in rail vehicle maintenance contracts with public transport authorities should prepare for the formal tender publication estimated for 28 May 2026.
Archived snapshot
Apr 27, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Pipeline
Overhaul of London Underground Spoil and Ballast (S&B) Wagons
- Transport for London UK1: Pipeline notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-037807
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-068b28
Published 26 April 2026, 8:57pm
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Contents
Scope Participation Submission Procedure Contracting authority
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Reference
WS2947834906
Description
Transport for London is seeking a supplier for the overhaul of the S&B wagons which are essential to meet the maintenance regime.
The scope involves a comprehensive overhaul of all S&B wagons encompassing brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork, fittings, gauging and brake performance checks, as well as any repair works arising from the condition assessment undertaken during the overhaul process.
The overhaul must be delivered in line with TfL's mandatory technical requirements and applicable LU standards. Works must be performed using approved methods and by personnel with demonstrated competence in maintaining specialist rail vehicles. The fleet consists of 52 wagons which were procured in 1996.
These wagons have had a successful life extension carried out on them, however, a full overhaul is now required to mitigate the upcoming CCSO (Case for Continued Safe Operation) that will be put in place to permit ongoing operation until overhaul.
The S&B wagons overhaul works include, but are not limited to:
• Brake equipment overhaul (distributors, brake cylinders, handbrake, etc.)
• Drawgear overhaul (drawgear, buffers & couplers)
• Bogie overhaul (bogie frames, suspension, brake rigging, etc.)
• Body (corrosion repair, box protection/ renewal, damage repair, paint, etc.)
• Fittings (cover plates etc.)
• Gauging & brake performance checks.
• Repair works arising from condition assessment during overhaul.
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The objective is to return all S&B Wagons to a condition that ensures reliable operation for a minimum of eight years following completion.
The contract will run for an initial three-year period with an option to extend for a further year
Contract dates (estimated)
- 20 January 2027 to 19 January 2030
- Possible extension to 18 January 2031
- 3 years, 11 months, 30 days
Main category
Services
CPV classifications
Railway maintenance or service vehicles, and railway freight wagons
Repair and maintenance services
Contract locations
- UKI - London
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
28 May 2026
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Above or below total value threshold
Above or equal to threshold
Transport for London
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHMT-6197-NWNZ 5 Endeavour Square
London
E20 1JN
United Kingdom
Email: lynettegatsi@tfl.gov.uk
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
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