Docklands Light Railway rolling stock

Docklands Light Railway rolling stock is the passenger trains and service vehicles (collectively known as 'rolling stock') used on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which serves the London Docklands area in the east of London.

Docklands Light Railway rolling stock
B07 stock train at Poplar DLR station in 2008
The interior of the B07 Rolling Stock
In serviceP86: (11) 1987–1991
P89: (10) 1989–1995
B90: (23) 1991–present
B92: (47) 1993–present
B2K: (24) 2001–present
B07: (55) 2008–present
ManufacturerLinke-Hofmann-Busch (P86)
British Rail Engineering Limited (P89)
Bombardier (B90/92/2K/07)
Number built170 vehicles
Number in service149 vehicles
Formation2/3 vehicles per train
Capacity284 passengers:
Seats
  • Total: 70
  • Pairs: 12
  • Longitudinal: 42
  • Tip-up: 4[1]
Operator(s)Docklands Light Railway
Depot(s)Poplar DLR depot
Beckton DLR depot
Line(s) servedDocklands Light Railway
Specifications
Train length2 car set: 56 m (183 ft 8 3⁄4 in) (56.8 m (186 ft 4 1⁄4 in) over couplers)
Car length28 m (91 ft 10 3⁄8 in) (28.4 m (93 ft 2 1⁄8 in) over coupler)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8 3⁄8 in)[1]
HeightP86/P89: 3.47 m (11 ft 4 5⁄8 in)
B90/B92/B2K: 3.51 m (11 ft 6 1⁄4 in)
B07 (inc. antenna): 3.49 m (11 ft 5 3⁄8 in)[1]
Floor height1.03 m (3 ft 4 1⁄2 in)
Doors2 pairs of doors each side per car, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) wide[2]
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph) (Maximum Speed Capable)
64 km/h (40 mph) (Regular Operational Speed)[3]
WeightB92:36 tons
B07:38.2tons
AccelerationB07: 1.4 m/s2 (4.6 ft/s2) [4]
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail[3]
Current collection methodcontact shoe bottom contact[5]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The passenger stock consists of high-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated EMUs. The trains are formed from sets of 2 or 3 semi-permanently connected cars, the increase to 3-car trains being introduced progressively on the busiest routes in 2010, following substantial platform extension works. The automation system is a GOA3, which requires a Passenger Service Agent (PSA) to operate doors and drive manually the train when required.

There have been three different main types of DLR rolling stock, but only two of them (the B90/B92/B2K fleet and the B07 fleet) are in operation; the original P86/P89 stock having been withdrawn and sold to Essen, Germany.

Passenger stock overview

The passenger trains consist of 149 high-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated cars, each 28 metres (92 feet) long. The cars have four doors on each side and each train is normally composed of two cars coupled together. A third car has been added on the busiest routes since 2010.[6][7][8] Each car has 70 seats and has a total capacity of 284 passengers.[9]

The cars do not have a driver's cab, although there is a small driving console concealed behind a locked panel at each outer car end from which the Passenger Service Agent (PSA) can manually drive the train if necessary. Other consoles at each door opening allow the PSA to control door closure and make announcements whilst patrolling the train. Because of the absence of a driver's position, the fully glazed car ends provide a panoramic forward (or rear) view for passengers.[5] At least one PSA is required on each train to close the doors upon departing and for emergency situations, such as taking the controls or evacuating the train, especially in tunnelled sections.[10]

View from the front of a Docklands Light Railway train. The control desk is usually closed and locked.

Despite having high floors and being highly automated, the cars are derived from a German Stadtbahn design, which was intended for use in systems with elements of street running (as is currently the case with the cars now used in Essen). All the cars that have operated on the system look similar, but there have been five separate types, three of which are still in operation on the Docklands Light Railway. A further car type, with quite different styling, was first displayed in March 2008 and entered service in September 2008.[11]

The DLR trains have a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), but the fastest possible speed reached is 80 km/h (50 mph) through the tunnel under the River Thames between Woolwich Arsenal station and King George V.

P86 and P89 rolling stock
P86 stock passing through the flat junction at Poplar bound for Stratford, 1987

The fleet for the 1987 opening consisted of 11 light rail vehicles (LRVs) built in 1986 by Linke-Hofmann-Busch in Germany and numbered 01 to 11. These were referred to as P86 stock,[12] the 'P' referring to Poplar depot, where they were maintained. These cars had folding doors, which proved to be problematic; later cars had sliding doors. Vehicle 11 made history several times. It was part of a light rail demonstration at Debdale Park, Manchester for which it had a pantograph fitted by Balfour Beatty. The demonstration took place on 9 February 1987 as evaluation trials for a potential tram system in Manchester. P11 was the last unit to be delivered to the DLR at Poplar on 30 March 1987, without the pantograph. It carried the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during the opening of the DLR on 30 July 1987 from Island Gardens (when originally above ground) to Poplar and then to Tower Gateway. It also operated the first revenue-earning DLR service and was the first to move to Essen in 1991.[12]

P86 stock with original DLR livery at Essen Hauptbahnhof, 2005

There were 84 seats in each car with most arranged in transverse bays of four to take advantage of the large windows. There were two wheelchair bays, and twelve longitudinal seats increased the circulation area. An emergency console for the Train Captain was provided but locked when out of use. These cars were built for the initial above-ground system and, because of failing to meet safety requirements, were not allowed to operate on the tunnelled extension to Bank.[12] Because of this, and because adaptation to a new signalling system was too costly, these cars were sold in 1991 to Essener Verkehrs-AG of Essen, Germany, where they were extensively rebuilt and put into service on the Essen Stadtbahn between 1994 and 1998.[13][3] Originally, they retained DLR colours and were limited to route U11, but after a further modification programme started in 2005 trains are appearing in a yellow livery and are used on all routes.

P89 stock running in Essen, Germany

In 1989–1990, British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works, supplied another ten numbered 12 to 21. These shared the characteristics of the original P86 stock. They were, though, equipped with sufficient fire-proofing to operate through the tunnels of the Bank extension, possibly because they were designed by a different manufacturer. These were designated P89 stock and remained in operation on the DLR until 1995. The two initial car types were effectively identical in appearance; apart from the car numbers one difference was the red livery underneath the end window was noticeably more orange and reflective on the P89 cars than on the original P86 ones. By 1994, all P89s had been modified with single-leaf sliding doors. They were also subsequently sold to Essen, where they entered service between 1999 and 2004 after major modifications had been carried out. In 2005 the last cars were repainted in Essen colours. As the Essen Stadtbahn does not use fully automated driving and uses overhead line rather than third rail power collection, the modifications to both sets of cars involved fitting driver's cabs and pantographs. Today, the former London trains operate all (U11, U17 and U18) lines.

B90/B92/B2K rolling stock
Repainted B2K stock arrives at Royal Victoria station.
The interior of B92 stock train 49.

Further vehicles were required as the network grew and as the original P86 and P89 cars had to be replaced due to their unsuitability for the changed system conditions. Bombardier built 23 vehicles of B90 stock in 1991, 47 vehicles of B92 stock from 1993-1995, and 24 vehicles of B2K stock from 2001-2002 at its Brugge, Belgium plant. When new the B2K stock differed from the earlier vehicles in appearance as the doors and handrails were painted in colours contrasting to their surroundings and they added front doors to comply with the new safety regulations. They are also fitted with internal LCD display screens. These differences were all mandated by the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations of the Disability Discrimination Act, which were not in force when the older cars were built.

The 'B' in the type codes refers to Beckton DLR depot, where they are primarily maintained. They are of a common design and can be operated interchangeably in trains of up to three sets.

The DLR fleet at the end of 2004 consisted of:

  • 22–44: Bombardier B90, built 1991
  • 45–91: Bombardier B92, built 1993–1995
  • 92–99, 01–16: Bombardier B2K, built 2001–2002

The numbering of the last B2K cars restarted at 01, reusing the numbers of the replaced, original cars. The main reason for this was that the DLR computer system had only been designed originally to handle 2-digit car numbers, and an upgrade to allow 3-digit car numbers did not take place until some time after these cars were received.

DLR cars had a common livery of blue, red, and white upon delivery. Over the years, several vehicles have received all-over advertising livery. A new livery of turquoise and blue was tested on B92 car 40 in the mid-1990s, but it was not adopted, and the car was repainted in standard livery a few years later. The B90/B92/B2K stocks were refurbished from 2004-2007 with the completed trains re-entering service with a redesigned interior and in a new livery of red and blue with grey doors to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. The refurbished units feature an Audio and Visual Information System which gives audio announcements when approaching a station: "This train is for destination, the next stop is next stop", for example: "This train is for Bank, the next stop is Canary Wharf". It also announces the name of the station when the doors have opened, for example: "This is Canary Wharf".[14] The fronts of the trains were refreshed from 2013, with the red front being repainted into a black front similar to the style of the B07 stock, after an online vote found it to be the most popular.[15]

B07 rolling stock
B2007 stock train at Heron Quays DLR station.

In May 2005, a further 24 vehicles of a new design were ordered from Bombardier for network extensions and three-car service on the Bank–Lewisham route.[16] They were to be delivered between May 2007 and September 2008, but were delayed.[17][18] These vehicles are known as 'B07 stock', and are numbered 101 to 124. The first was delivered on 22 December 2007, and three units of B07 stock, 104, 105, and 106, were displayed at West India Quay on 13 March 2008.[17] The first train of B07 stock, made up of units 105 and 106, entered service in September 2008. Even by March 2009 few of the new trains had appeared in service, but all units of this first batch had entered service by July 2009.

In June 2006, another 31 vehicles were added to this order. Sometimes called as B09 on the internet, these trains are B07 batch 2 and were built at Bombardier's Bautzen, Germany plant.[19] This batch was partly funded by the Olympic Delivery Authority and was planned for delivery by 2009.[20] The first six units had been delivered by June 2009 with all in service by the end of June 2010.

An artist's impression of the B07 DLR stock from Bombardier Transportation

The B07 stock units feature a totally redesigned exterior and interior. It features larger windows and doors and more leg room. In addition, several technical improvements were made for better acceleration, altered door functions to enable faster boarding and alighting, and improved braking for a smoother ride.[21]

The B07 units were the first to operate as 3-car trains in early 2010; the B92 trains followed operating in this way later in 2010.[22] The initial 3-car route was the mainstream Bank to Lewisham route, but the lengthened trains were subsequently operated on other routes as well.

Problems experienced

All DLR trains have wheels which have a more angular profile than that on Network Rail mainline trains, which is effective in manoeuvring around the tight curves encountered on DLR routes. However, a disadvantage of this technology is that they are partly responsible for violent shaking as the train travels at higher speeds on the straight parts of the route (Hunting oscillation).

Another manifestation of the DLR's wheel geometry and tight rail curves is that this setup makes noise which is amplified by the use of steel box torsion girders (e.g. Marsh Wall elevated road crossing adjacent to South Quay DLR Station).

Future stock

In 2017, Transport For London (TfL) published a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union seeking expressions of interest from manufacturers to build a new fleet of 43, 87-metre-long (285 ft 5 1⁄4 in) trains. 33 will replace the 70 B90/92s, while the remaining 10 will support capacity increases in the Royal Docks area.[23] DLR services presently operate with two or three trains coupled together, but the new fleet will be fixed formation units with walk-through carriages equivalent to the length of three current trains. On-board facilities planned include real-time information screens, air conditioning and mobile device charging points. TfL is also seeking improved reliability, and is aiming for a mean distance of 50,000 km (31,000 mi) between service-affecting failures.

The depot at Beckton is to be expanded to accommodate the new fleet. Procurement is planned through a manufacture and supply agreement, with the DLR franchise responsible for maintenance and a separate fleet support agreement seeing the manufacturer offer technical support and supply spares. The trains will be financed by a lease, whereby each train would be paid for by the lessor and purchased by TfL at a later date when it can make funds available.[24] Alstom, Bombardier, CAF and a Siemens / Stadler Rail consortium were shortlisted.[25]

On 12 June 2019, CAF was announced as the winner to construct 43 units. 33 will replace the existing trains, and a further 10 will serve as additional capacity. These new trains will enter service from 2023.[26][27]


References
  1. "Docklands Light Railway DLR guide". milesfaster.co.uk. 2009. Archived from the original on 7 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  2. Docklands Light Railway Information Pack by Serco. Serco. August 2003.
  3. railway-technology.com. "Docklands Light Railway Capacity Upgrading, London London, United Kingdom". SPG Media Group. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  4. "Requesting for technical data of DLR".
  5. "Docklands Light Railway : Trains". thetrams.co.uk. 2009. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. "Docklands Light Railway - Three-carriage Capacity Enhancement Project". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  7. "Docklands Light Railway Three-Car Capacity Enhancement Project". Taylor Woodrow Construction and Vinci (construction). Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  8. "DLR finalises three-car upgrade funds for London 2012 Games and beyond". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  9. "Docklands Light Railway Key Facts". railway-technology.com. 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  10. "DLR safety". Transport for London. 2009. Archived from the original on 27 August 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  11. Docklands Light Rail car formally unveiled Archived 5 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 29 March 2008
  12. Pearce, Alan; Hardy, Brian; Stannard, Colin (2000). Docklands Light Railway Official Handbook. Capital Transport Publishing. ISBN 1-85414-223-2.
  13. "Docklands cars sold" The Railway Magazine issue 1090 February 1992 page 75
  14. "New accessibility boost for DLR passengers" (Press release). Transport for London. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  15. "Have Your Say - Vote for front of train colours". www.dlrlondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
  16. DLR capacity expansion Archived 5 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 1 June 2005
  17. "New Docklands Light Railway stock unveiled". TheRailwayCentre.com. March 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2008.
  18. "Bombardier Receives A $94 Million US Order From Docklands Light Railway For Automatic Light Rail Cars To Be Used In London, UK" (Press release). Bombardier Transportation. 4 May 2005. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  19. Olympic car order Archived 5 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 1 July 2006
  20. "DLR looks to the future with Olympic train order" (Press release). Transport for London. 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  21. "Docklands Light Railway - Rolling Stock Enhancements". Transport for London. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2009.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  22. Docklands Light Rail rolls out three-car trains Archived 5 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 4 March 2010
  23. "TfL considers new Docklands fleet" The Railway Magazine issue 1393 April 2017 page 84
  24. "Procurement Begins for New DLR Fleet" Modern Railways issue 826 July 2017 page 18
  25. Four shortlisted for Docklands Light Rail train order Archived 5 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 17 November 2017
  26. CAF announced as winner Rail Magazine 12 June 2019
  27. "Contract awarded to replace oldest DLR trains". Transport for London. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
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