New DLR train enters service
Long awaited new DLR train has begun carrying passengers in service today.
After a long programme of testing in which hiccups were encountered delaying introduction which was initially expected in early 2024, the new stock with increased capacity begun today on a service from Woolwich Arsenal.
Today was a revised target date long sought but not made publicly available, with much testing recently focused upon the line from Beckton to Stratford.
When in service a previous TfL report stated the line to first gain stock en masse will be Lewisham.
Trains feature air con, walk-through carriages, charging points alongside passenger information screens. One issue that will raise a few grumbles is the lack of forward (or rear) facing seats. There’s just a couple at either end of the train.
A shame given the DLR offers some great views through east London as well as through Canary Wharf. Front seats will be fought over even more.
Replacement
Introduction was becoming an urgent necessity as older stock have already begun to be withdrawn and sent to the scrapyard over recent months with services reduced earlier in the year.
As part of the project sidings in Beckton have been expanded. That saw issues when contractor Buckingham collapsed. Trains have been built by CAF in Spain.
Delayed introduction has cost TfL additional funds as they paid CAF to store completed trains in Spain. In addition a long period of testing and line closures have hit fare revenue.
The DLR has recently struggled with post-pandemic passenger growth stalling which has been a feature of recent TfL finance reports (a new post on the latest will be up later today looking at all forms of transport) so this will be a big relief for TfL.
When in full service train frequencies will be increased on various branches across the network, which serve numerous areas of major housing growth including Lewisham, Deptford, Greenwich, Woolwich Arsenal, the Royal Docks, Stratford and Canary Wharf.
Total costs for the project including trains, sidings expansion, signalling and power works that’ll see 32 trains replaced with 54 new, walk-through replacements stands at £942 million.
Of that total £257.5m is grant funding from the the previous government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government with £300m in loans from the National Wealth Fund according to a March 2025 TfL report.
Fantastic news though I note the irony of air conditioned stock starting on 30 September 🙂
Brilliant though and I hope some news follows of South eastern’s new trains as it feels waiting years for that. The north of Greenwich borough is about to see new DLR trains alongside the Elizabeth line while the rest has some VERY tired trains (which also cost more for equivalent journeys!). This morning’s typical example was disgusting throughout, the toilet stank and I doubt has seen a good scrub in a decade so I was glad to change onto the DLR at Lewisham.
I still believe if Tfl had taken over by now they’d be if not new trains than the old stock given a good old deep clean.
It’ll be great when the Bank to Lewisham frequency is enhanced. It’s already decent but provide it and they will come.
I managed to ride it and liked the additional space for wheelchairs and lighting. Sad to have less chance to site facing forwards at the front (particularly when the on-board staff take over one side) but most passengers won’t care. The enhanced network when fully in place will be wonderful. Here’s to 30 years of forthcoming successful service.
I wish getting new escalators for the Cutty Sark Station could have taken preference before putting on more trains. That won’t be completed till next Spring!
I’ll miss the trusty old trains. Still, progress waits for no man or woman and it’s all quite exciting as it signifies improvements and new residential development which is much needed.
Yep hopefully now in service a catalyst for development.
I have to say it’s nice to have positive comments rather than the usual old moans without looking at any upsides (ie not miserable people who moan about everything as seen on facebook etc). Sure, the trains have some downsides but considering they have decades in service serving areas in line for major growth it’s needed in coming years.
Not a fan of the seating. As a mum with kids it’s rubbish! Yes I know the main job is for commuters but couldn’t they replicate the Lizzie and have at least two more forward facing seats along the entirety of the train? Ah well progress I guess
Nice to see the new B23 stocks in service on the Docklands Light Railway. Just days after the Bakerloop bus came into service. Now TfL can start thinking about allowing the Piccadilly Line 2024 Stock to enter service from next year and new tube trains to be built for the Bakerloo Line.
The new DLR trains are very nice and as they are 5-Car in length. They can handle more extra passengers especially at peak times. It’s nice to see them in service.
I’m happy that the new Docklands Light Railway B23 Stock is now in service and are 5-Car so that they can handle more extra passengers. And one thing that is good is not just USB ports but also walk-through passageways that makes it lot easier to walk from one carriage to the other.
Just like on the Elizabeth Line Class 345 and London Overground Class 378 and Class 710. And the new Piccadilly Line 2024 Stock that also have walkthrough corridors. Which they are schedule to come into service from next year.
The new rolling stock and livery remind me of Paris metro trains. I managed to get a ride today (3 October 2025) from Canning Town to Stratford just for the sheer novelty as the route is well off the beaten track – had to change three times. I prefer forward facing seats, but I guess all the space down the middle means that more people can be accommodated in the rush hours.
It would be nice if TfL were to get more new DLR trains and perhaps to replace the B07 Stocks. It is very nice to see the new B23 Stock in service. As they are lot better than the B90, B92 and B2K Stocks that it’s replacing.
I would like to see them operating on other routes including Bank/Tower Gateway-Beckton, Woolwich Arsenal, Canary Wharf and Lewisham. And Stratford-Lewisham and Canary Wharf.