It\u2019s a crushing inevitability that the entry into service of new trains will be delayed and the latest system to be impacted by this is the Docklands Light Railway. The latest TfL Commissioner\u2019s Report (June 2024) has a brief section on the DLR rolling stock replacement programme and although it doesn\u2019t say that their introduction has been delayed it does admit to some challenges.<\/p>\n
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The new trains are being built by CAF in Spain and are part of the Inneo family of Metro trains the company offers. In total there are 54 on order (which includes an add-on thanks to funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund looking to further development in the Docklands) and its also been confirmed that there are 30 already built (although just three are in London).<\/p>\n
Those which have been built are under various stages of testing and this has included some runs of those which have been delivered to Beckton Depot on the DLR network during planned closures.<\/p>\n
Originally due to be introduced into service from early 2024 this date has been delayed and TfL are now saying that \u201cwork continues to prepare for the first train in revenue service later this year\u201d.<\/p>\n
In the report it is stated: \u201cWhile we have experienced some challenges with this phase [testing], we continue to work collaboratively with our suppliers and operator to mitigate this.\u201d No details are given as to what the challenges are but it is said that they should all still be in service by 2026 as planned.<\/p>\n
Connected to the introduction of the new trains are works to enhance Beckton Depot. This includes new sidings and they should be completed by the summer. Power works have also been completed on three routes to enable the new trains to run whilst further work is underway at Blackwall Station to add a second entrance with the piling now complete.<\/p>\n
Finally, a tender has been issued for more expansion at Beckton Depot (required because of the additional trains now ordered).<\/p>\n
The fleet of new trains will both replace the B90, B92 and B2K trains as well as providing additional capacity. With the delays in the introduction of the trains there have recently been timetable changes which have seen more two car trains running because of shortages with the reliability of those older vehicles now starting to reduce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s a crushing inevitability that the entry into service of new trains will be delayed and the latest system to be impacted by this is the Docklands Light Railway. The latest TfL Commissioner\u2019s Report (June 2024) has a brief section … Continue reading