TfL reveal new DLR trains and confirm 54 on the way

Transport for London held an official release event today showing off new DLR trains set to enter service next year.

This site covered their arrival back in January, and in recent weeks revealed that TfL had finally secured funding from government for a full order of 54 new trains.

A total of 11 out of the 54 were conditional on money from central government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Money was announced some years ago but wasn’t formally signed off and TfL unable to confirm until confirming government had agreed in a recent TfL board meeting.

The new trains see a completely different exterior and interior colour scheme with turquoise replacing red and blue.

They’re fully walk-though and feature air conditioning alongside USB ports.

They replace the oldest stock currently running which are around 30 years of age.

New stock features fewer seats with a greater amount of longitudinal seating than stock to be replaced.

That’s unfortunate if you like to look out an adjacent window while sitting (and the views from many DLR lines are excellent) but the network is often extremely busy even after post-pandemic passenger reductions, with  extra capacity crucial to cope with housing growth in decades to come.

A trip on just about any branch shows substantial housing growth from Beckton to Silvertown, Lewisham to Stratford.

Forward facing seats do remain at the front however for those who like the drive the trains.

Overnight tests on the network will begin shortly before daytime test runs later this year. The first trains will entering passenger service in 2024 with all running by 2026.

In total 33 of the oldest trains will be withdrawn bringing a net gain of 20 trains to boost services in years to come.

Manufacturer CAF have uploaded a new video today showing construction.