London’s Docklands Light Railway is one of two systems in the UK which is currently going through a major change in its operating fleet. Whilst for the Tyne and Wear Metro it’s a complete replacement of the fleet it’s a bit different on the DLR where the newer B2007 and B2009 will be retained, but there is still plenty of change with new trains entering service as older withdrawn units head off the scrapping.
The first of the new B23 units – being built by CAF – entered service on 30th September 2025 when 209 carried passengers on the Woolwich Arsenal to Stratford International route. 209 remained the sole example to be used in service for a few weeks, on a solitary diagram, whilst others continued to be used on test from Beckton to Stratford International.
But more recently things have stepped up a bit with a second diagram introduced (again on the Woolwich Arsenal-Stratford International route) and this has seen two further examples enter service. These have been 211 and 224.
Whilst we have seen three new B23s enter service, at the other end of their careers have been two further BN Construction built units going off for scrap. 63 was the first to head off on 22nd October and it was followed a day later by 69. Both of these were B92s built between 1992 and 1995.
There have now been ten units sent for scrap: 31, 38, 39, 55, 63, 69, 80, 88, 03 and 98.
Not yet reported as having entered is the first numbered of the B23s – 201. Its seen here in a special testing livery when seen at West Ham being used for tests. (Photograph by Phil Sargent, 9th October 2025)
This is Stratford (low-level) where we see 224 calling at the station with a service to Woolwich Arsenal.
237 was also out being used for tests and we also see that unit pausing at Stratford. (Photographs x2 by Rod Bryant, 29th October 2025)