1996 tube stock variations

[Silent]

When I use the 1996 tube stock I have noticed some trains have more modern looking side door panels inside where the button is positioned at the bottom of the metal button panel as opposed to the top and has a square key on the white panel, as opposed to just being on the bottom gray panels. I would assume this is the 05 variant. However I have been on other 1996 tube stock That seem to look exactly like the original 1996 stock with the same side door panels but the have orange dot matrix so I would assume that that is actually the 05 variant. But that means that their must be another variant apart from the 05 stock variant.

 

[Central]

There were only two builids of 96TS the first 118 units in 95/96 then the additional 4 trains plus the 7th cars for the original build in 05.

 

[Silent]

Maybe the additional 4 trains are different to the plus 7th cars added because there are three interior variants it seems.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Dec 2025 ==

For example the door casing at the side looks more modern in this pic, the last pic in the link

https://www.squarewheels.org.uk/rly/stock/1996tubeStock/

Compared to this

London Underground 1996 Stock - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

But then as the 2005 variant is said to have orange dot matrix. I have seen orange dot matrix on the 96 stock that looks like the one in the second photo and red dot matrix I think in a 96 stock that looks like the first photo.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I have also noticed before that the sound of the inverters differ between units. Some have a drawn out growl and some have a quicker, smoother melody. Oh the joys of being a train enthusiast!

 

[boiledbeans2]

I have also noticed before that the sound of the inverters differ between units. Some have a drawn out growl and some have a quicker, smoother melody. Oh the joys of being a train enthusiast!

Is that just a difference of being above-ground and underground?
Above-ground, the trains accelerate and deccelerate slower.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Is that just a difference of being above-ground and underground?
Above-ground, the trains accelerate and deccelerate slower.

This was on different units passing Green Park and Bond Street stations

 

[EJD799]

I have no evidence to back this— it is entirely speculation, but maybe it depends on when they were refurbished. A set refurbished in February 2017 vs one refurbished in December 2019, for example. Wasn’t the door casing replaced during the refurbishment? They were that ugly cyan color before.

 

[Silent]

I have also noticed before that the sound of the inverters differ between units. Some have a drawn out growl and some have a quicker, smoother melody. Oh the joys of being a train enthusiast!

Yeah I noticed this too and remember one that seemed more higher pitched or to have more of a higher pitched whine than other 96 ts I used

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2025 ==

I have no evidence to back this— it is entirely speculation, but maybe it depends on when they were refurbished. A set refurbished in February 2017 vs one refurbished in December 2019, for example. Wasn’t the door casing replaced during the refurbishment? They were that ugly cyan color before.

No, I don’t think so, on some units you see the blue paint below.

 

[xtmw]

I have also noticed before that the sound of the inverters differ between units. Some have a drawn out growl and some have a quicker, smoother melody. Oh the joys of being a train enthusiast!

A very common saying - no train is the same!!