In October 2025 — a year and a half later than initially anticipated — the new DLR trains finally started being rolled out. A few weeks later, they disappeared again.
Last month, blogger Diamond Geezer had a sighting en route to Pamplona. Now, we learn, they're finally being dribbled back out onto the DLR network.
With their walk-through carriages, real time travel information, air conditioning and phone charging points, the 54 state-of-the-art trains, designed by Spanish company, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. should have been a golden moment for TfL.
Instead, the launched proved a damp squib; poor braking performance during wet weather on one train forced the entire fleet to be hoicked from service. That was in November. Now, following the completion of modifications and "a comprehensive programme of testing and assurance", the trains are gradually being reintroduced — with TfL monitoring their performance closely.
Keen for a ride? To begin with, you're most likely to catch one of the new trains on the Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal route.
Says Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Chief Capital Officer, "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."
Hopefully, in a future not too far removed, we'll be riding these trains on a freshly-built DLR extension, and then, oh how we'll all laugh.
