The first of Transport for London’s new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains has returned to passenger service, marking a major milestone in the introduction of a modern fleet that will transform journeys across east and south-east London.
The train is the first of 54 new state-of-the-art vehicles that will be gradually introduced onto the network, with performance closely monitored throughout the phased rollout.
Passengers travelling on the new fleet will benefit from spacious walk-through carriages, live travel information screens, air conditioning, mobile charging points, and a range of enhanced accessibility features. These include three multi-use areas and three dedicated wheelchair spaces, helping to make the DLR one of the most accessible railways in the capital.
A key feature of the new trains is their walk-through design, which increases overall capacity by 10 per cent. This will help support continued growth in key development areas including Stratford, Woolwich Arsenal, and the Isle of Dogs, while replacing some of the DLR’s oldest rolling stock, much of which has been in service for more than 30 years.
The return to service follows a temporary withdrawal of the fleet in November 2025 after an issue affecting train performance in low adhesion conditions was identified on one train. Transport for London (TfL) and manufacturer CAF took the trains out of service as a precaution while investigations were carried out and a solution developed.
Following extensive engineering work, a number of enhancements have been introduced to improve performance during challenging operating conditions. These include modifications to braking systems, the installation of equipment designed to improve wheel-to-rail adhesion and additional mitigations at key locations across the DLR network where low adhesion conditions can occur.
The first train has now re-entered passenger service after completing a comprehensive programme of testing and assurance across a range of operational scenarios.
The phased reintroduction of the new fleet will begin on the Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal route, with additional trains entering service in a carefully managed programme over the coming months.
TfL is continuing to work with CAF and its supply chain partners to finalise the wider fleet deployment plan, with further details expected in due course.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Chief Capital Officer, said:
"We're pleased that the first of our new DLR trains has returned to customer service following the completion of a thorough programme of modifications, testing and assurance.
“Safety is always our top priority, and we took the decision to remove the trains from service as a precaution while we worked with CAF to investigate the issue and implement a solution.
“I apologise for the delay in reintroducing the trains but am pleased this marks an important milestone in delivering a modern new fleet for the DLR. As we begin the phased reintroduction of the trains, customers will start to benefit from more spacious and accessible journeys, while we continue to monitor performance and introduce further trains into service."
The fleet replacement programme forms part of a wider investment strategy designed to support population and economic growth across east and south-east London. The project is backed by £257 million in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, recognising the critical role the DLR plays in enabling new housing development and improving connectivity across the capital.
When all 54 trains are in service, the fleet will provide increased capacity, improved accessibility, and a significantly enhanced passenger experience, ensuring the DLR continues to support London's growing transport needs for decades to come.
Image credit: iStock
