Thales are to provide support to the new rolling stock programme on the Docklands Light Railway following the awarding of two new contracts at the end of October. Thales will be working alongside CAF to supply and integrate new on board control systems for the new trains due to be introduced from 2023 whilst they will also be supporting TfL in upgrading the DLR signalling system.
The two contracts have been awarded separately with the first awarded directly by CAF who were successful in winning the contract to build 43 walk through trains to replace the oldest units currently in operation on the DLR. This will see Thales working directly alongside CAF to both supply and integrate on board control systems to make sure they are able to easily work alongside the signalling systems on the network.
And to that end Thales have also been contracted by Transport for London to upgrade the current signalling software sub systems to support the introduction of the new trains helping to deliver increased capacity and reliability to passengers.
The DLR has been running on Thales’ SelTrac Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) technology since 1994 when it was first used between Bank and Island Gardens. These new contract will continue this relationship until September 2024.
Andrew Bell, Vice President Urban Rail Signalling Thales UK, said: “Thales is very pleased to be continuing its contribution to the growth of DLR and the impact this will have to increased service for east London transit users. Thales has been working with the DLR team for more than 30 years by supporting the life cycle extension of assets and leveraging of their existing and new signalling systems.”