New DLR trains are back: A review
After delay after delay new DLR stock is finally back in public service again after a prior mishap last autumn when a train didnt stop where it was supposed to. Whoops.
It’s taken almost a full year to fix that – with precious little information from TfL in the interval via their reports and public statements – but now they’re back so what we all want to know is can you still drive the train?
Well, yes, but with some caveats.
Firstly, front-facing seats are down from two bays each side for eight people to look forward down to two bays for four people. And with onboard staff often taking up one side, the scramble for the front is intensified.
Yes, I know you couldn’t drive it from the second row seat anyway but you could anticipate jumping in.
This is important stuff.
See, if you have kids you know the front is a highly coveted prize. And the second bay was sort of a consolation to wait. But that’s gone. Good luck keeping a six year old happy standing about waiting.
In addition there’s now a substantial gap from the front seats to the front of the train and it’s far harder for a child to look out given the front panel has shot up a foot in height. Far worse than the prior stock.
A five year old may have been able to see out before, but not now. On a test earlier a six and seven year old are struggling.
Oh, the wailings. And so with a couple of kids in toe frustration ensures – as I experienced all too well today.
Grown-ups
As for the rest of the new stock experience in regards to a boring, grown-up perspective? Well, it’s fine. A seven out of ten.
I would have probably given it ten out of ten if they were running in the hottest days this summer but, well, TfL have brought them back just as autumn arrives.
Yes I know that’s as thorough testing is needed before a load of comments ensue.
So what do we have with the new stock? Some new noises when the doors open. Of course it brings loads of new capacity and all that. Boring sensible stuff.
Marvellous, but does it keep a kid happy? Not quite, and really, what IS the DLR for but that?
As for now, frustrated kids may grumble but at least the bloody things are running again.
It’s nice to see the new B23 stock in service on the Docklands Light Railway and operating on the Stratford International-Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton routes. Hopefully more of the new DLR B23 stock trains should also enter service throughout this year and to see them operating on other DLR lines.
Including Stratford-Canary Wharf & Lewisham, Tower Gateway/Bank-Canary Wharf & Lewisham, Lewisham-Beckton & Woolwich Arsenal and Tower Gateway/Bank-Woolwich Arsenal and Beckton. And with plans to extend the DLR to Thamesmead.
Be optional for DLR to order few more B23 Stocks to increase more extra capacity on the DLR and the B07 Stocks to remain for 20 years. And to see the B23 stock to operate on the rest of the DLR network. It’s nice to see them back in service.
I have been on the new DLR trains and I do hope to see more of them coming into service on the rest of the Docklands Light Railway throughout this year and next year. They do look very nice both inside and outside and it’s good that you can walk through the whole entire train.