Upcoming

Overhaul of London Underground Spoil and Ballast (S&B) Wagons

Transport for London · Public undertaking

In brief

Transport for London has announced plans to buy this contract. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £2,500,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 20 May 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually low: a median of 2 bids per contract for this buyer (from 72 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Transport for London (TfL), on behalf of London Underground, is seeking a supplier to undertake the overhaul of the Spoil and Ballast (S&B) wagon fleet, which is critical to delivering the London Underground maintenance and track renewal regime. S&B wagons support track renewal programmes across the London Underground network by enabling the efficient delivery of materials and the removal of waste ballast during possessions, within both tunnelled and surface sections, helping to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the railway. The scope of works comprises a full and comprehensive overhaul of all S&B wagons, including but not limited to brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork,…Read the full description
Transport for London (TfL), on behalf of London Underground, is seeking a supplier to undertake the overhaul of the Spoil and Ballast (S&B) wagon fleet, which is critical to delivering the London Underground maintenance and track renewal regime. S&B wagons support track renewal programmes across the London Underground network by enabling the efficient delivery of materials and the removal of waste ballast during possessions, within both tunnelled and surface sections, helping to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the railway. The scope of works comprises a full and comprehensive overhaul of all S&B wagons, including but not limited to brake equipment, drawgear, bogies, bodywork, fittings, gauging, and brake performance testing, together with any repair works identified through condition assessments carried out during the overhaul process. All works must be delivered in accordance with TfL's mandatory technical requirements and applicable London Underground standards, using approved methods and suitably competent personnel experienced in the maintenance of specialist rail vehicles. The fleet consists of 52 wagons, originally procured in 1996. While the S&B wagons have previously undergone a successful life extension programme, a full overhaul is now required to mitigate reliance on an interim Case for Continued Safe Operation (CCSO) and to support their continued operation. 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. The objective of the overhaul programme is to return all Spoil and Ballast (S&B) wagons to a condition that reliable and safe operation for a minimum period of eight years following completion of the works. The contract will be let for an initial term of three years, with an option for TfL to extend for a further one year period, subject to ongoing operational and performance requirements.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 037807-2026
  2. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 038090-2026
  3. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 043087-2026

Last time this was bought

Heavy Overhaul of London Underground Switch Tilter (LUST) Wagons

Awarded
24 August 2026
Value
£1,831,032
Bids
1

Matched on Transport for London, the type of work and the title; it may be a related contract rather than the same one. Check the notice to be sure.

About the buyer

Transport for LondonLast 12 months

Procurements

377

Awards

150

Suppliers it has used most

From notice 037807-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 26 April 2026, last updated 11 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.