DLR scrappings confirmed

Occasionally on these pages it may take us a little while to bring you news of the latest light rail and tram developments across the British Isles, but not usually two or three years! But we have recently been provided with an update from London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) which has confirmed two more scrappings which were missed back in 2022 and 2023.

As has been known for some time the older DLR trains are approaching the end of their operating lives with a replacement fleet on order and due to be introduced from later this year (following the successful completion of testing). Whilst many of the B90, B92 and B2K units are still gamely carrying on in service there are others which have been withdrawn and for some they have already headed off for scrap.

We had already reported that 39 went for scrapping in October 2022 (having not run since May 2016) with 98 following it in November 2022 (last running July 2019). This was one B90 and one B2K unit. It has now also been confirmed to us that 38 (another B90 unit) was also sent to Booths in Rotherham on 5^th December 2023 which means at least three of the trains have gone to be scrapped.

In addition it appears that 88 was also scrapped (the first B92 to be confirmed scrapped). This unit had originally been reported to have used parts from 39 and 98 to be converted into a shunting unit but if the FOI report is to be believed it has now been scrapped. It last run on 4th March 2020.

With a new timetable due to be introduced from 21^st July 2025 which will require fewer sets to operate, its expected that withdrawals and scrappings will start to increase in the coming months.

The last update from the DLR was that the issues with the new CAF trains and the signalling equipment are being resolved at the moment and that it is hoped that the first of the 43 walk-through units will enter service before 2025 ends.