It has been confirmed that the new fleet of CAF trains being built for London\u2019s Docklands Light Railway will not be entering service in 2024. The confirmation came in a Freedom of Information request which requested more information on the challenges which had been experienced since the vehicles started testing on the network.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The new trains had been expected to be introduced into service earlier this year but, as with many other new items of rolling stock across the UK, this has been delayed. It now won\u2019t be until next year that the first trains can run in passenger service. It had previously been said that there had been a number of complex challenges during testing although TfL had not forthcoming what they were.<\/p>\n
But the FOI response does now give more detail: \u201cWe identified issues relating to\u00a0the integration between the train and signalling systems and how these behave in conditions of poor railhead adhesion.\u00a0The engineers have developed a plan to overcome these issues. However, while\u00a0doing this, they have identified a preexisting technical issue within the legacy signalling system which has resulted in speed restrictions being introduced in some sections across the DLR network.<\/p>\n
\u201cWork is underway to optimise these\u00a0speed restrictions, which will hopefully\u00a0minimise the impact to customers on the\u00a0DLR network. As a result of the legacy\u00a0signalling issue, further detailed analysis is also required for the new trains, alongside\u00a0existing software modifications. This has\u00a0meant the new DLR trains will not be\u00a0able to be introduced this year. We do\u00a0now have a solution for the new trains to\u00a0enter passenger service, but the initial\u00a0programme is currently being stress-tested\u00a0and optimised.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further information on the eventual introduction of the trains is expected during 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It has been confirmed that the new fleet of CAF trains being built for London\u2019s Docklands Light Railway will not be entering service in 2024. The confirmation came in a Freedom of Information request which requested more information on the … Continue reading