A recent Freedom of Information request to Transport for London has provided a bit more clarity of when you may get to see the new B23 trains operating on various parts of the Docklands Light Railway network. The introduction of the new trains has not been without its problems but with the first of the units re-entering service last month, it is now hoped that it will be full systems ahead for the trains to start their takeover of more services.
The B23 trains should all be in service by now according to original plans but as with so many other new train fleets across the UK there have been numerous delays which have prevented this. The most high-profile of these was the withdrawal of the entire fleet (the limited numbers which had entered service that is) in late 2025, just a few weeks after their initial entry. This came about after a train failed to stop as expected in wet weather and has led to software alterations and extensive testing.
4th September 2026 saw the re-entry into service of the trains, and like the original deployment they have only been seen in action on the Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal service. However, unlike last time its not just been one in service at any time with as many as three used at the same time. It is believed that four B23s have now carried passengers: 209, 211, 224 and 238. A further eight are known to have been delivered from Spain so far.
According to the results of the FOI request we are now in the bedding in period and there are then various (draft) dates for when the B23s will start to be seen elsewhere:
- 10th January 2027 – Stratford to Woolwich B23
- 10th January 2027 – Bank to Lewisham first B23
- 31st January 2027 – Bank to Lewisham partial B23
- 30th May 2027 – Bank to Lewisham B23
- 31st October 2027 – Bank to Woolwich B23
- 5th March 2028 – Tower Gateway to Beckton B23
- 16th April 2028 – Stratford to Lewisham partial B23
The dates provided in the FOI also give information of when additional services will be introduced again – the delay in entry to service of the B23s has meant that with some of the older units being withdrawn a reduced timetable has been in operation. This should include mid-February 2027 when Stratford to Lewisham and Canning Town to Beckton peak services start running again.
The dates provided in the data released do only remain as a draft with things still possibly changeable, all depending on how successful the reintroduction of the units is. There do also need to be a lot more of the trains delivered from Spain before a mass entry can be seen.
One of the units which has been used in service so far is 209. The B23 is seen in this image when pausing at Canning Town on its way to Stratford International. (Photograph by Rod Bryant, 13th September 2026)