Coming 2025: New Docklands Light Railway trains (hopefully)
It’s the latest instalment now for things that should be happening this coming year though like the previous two the original start date was in the past, so let’s see how it goes.
New trains on the DLR network were due to start in service before the end of the last financial year eight months ago but of course that never happened.
Now 2025 is the expected date if problems can be overcome. During testing issues with signalling and a train overshooting a stop point put paid to those start dates. However it wasn’t quite as dramatic as what happened back during testing in 1987 when a train was left dangling at the end of Island Gardens.
Rising cost
Delays are already costing Transport for London according to a recent meeting covered on this site.
Problems in introducing new stock are coupled with constructing additional sidings at Beckton – after the failure of a previous contractor – meaning TfL have had to “flex the delivery timetable and agree plans for additional train storage to effectively manage the impact of delays, although this has come at additional cost.” Total programme costs are up £35 million from £907 million to £942 million.
Another hit is continual closures for testing in turn reducing passenger numbers and fare revenue. Testing for new stock is of course standard practice and wholesale closures are often needed, but the sheer number of closures will be hitting revenue.
The DLR saw some strong recovery in recent years but this year has seen numbers stagnate. New stock can’t arrive soon enough.
Older DLR trains in poor shape
In the meantime old stock is plodding along looking worse for wear. As an example, a trip last week saw a tip-up seat had gone AWOL. These seats often seem to be in poor shape with seat coverings hanging off. Initially the thought occurred that it was removed for wheelchair space but it appeared it’d actually just fell off.
While new trains are still expected in 2025 TfL are being very coy in various reports with no exact date now being given in various recent reports. A contrast to this time last year when the first was due by April 2024, and then in June they were stating by the end of 2024.
When the CAF-built stock is finally running, trains will sport a new colour scheme as well as air conditioned, walk-through carriages. All will be forgiven if that sweet, sweet air con is in place by summer.
Overall a net addition of stock when all enter service will ensure higher frequency services on various branches.
Maybe Transport for London should continue on ordering more new DLR B23 stocks from CAF to replace the B90, B92 and B2K DLR stocks. And to keep the B07 DLR stocks.