Long-awaited new trains for the Docklands Light Railway have returned to service, ten months after being withdrawn because one overshot a platform in wet weather.
Three of the new B23 trains started running between Stratford International and Woolwich Arsenal in September last year, but were quickly pulled after the incident in November.
The first of the new trains started running on the same route on Monday.
Braking systems have been changed, new equipment installed to improve the grip between the wheels and the track, and additional measures have been taken to reduce the impact of wet and slippery conditions at key locations across the network.
Some 54 walk-through trains, made by the Spanish company CAF, will eventually be introduced on the DLR, replacing carriages dating back to 1991 – just four years after the system’s first section opened.
Sir Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, said the new trains were “fantastic and will transform travel for millions of Londoners, significantly improving comfort, accessibility and reliability”.
TfL, which said earlier this year that the trains would return in “late summer”, will be hoping that their reintroduction marks the beginning of the end of a saga which has also led to parts of the network being closed at weekends so the trains can be put through their paces once again.
The trains had been on test since 2023, but had to be stored in Spain for an extended period because the contractor in charge of expanding the DLR’s depot in Beckton collapsed.
TfL said the number of new trains would increase gradually, and it was working with CAF and its suppliers on a timetable for a full rollout.
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.”
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