Docklands Light Railway rolling stock

Docklands Light Railway rolling stock

Company type	Fleet of passenger trains and support vehicles
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	1987
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Area served	Docklands region of London
Products	High-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated electric multiple units (EMUs)

The Docklands Light Railway rolling stock refers to the collection of passenger trains and support vehicles that function on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which services the Docklands region of London.

This fleet is composed of high-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated EMUs arranged in two- or three-car formations. Since 2010, following platform lengthening, three-car sets have been deployed on the busiest lines. The system operates using a GoA3 driverless system, with Passenger Service Agents (PSAs) responsible for door management and manual driving when necessary.

Historically, three primary categories of DLR rolling stock have been utilized; at present, only the B90/B92/B2K and B07 classes remain active, as the original P86/P89 units were retired and sold to Essen, Germany.

Beginning in 2025, a new batch of 54 trains produced by CAF will replace older models and expand capacity across the DLR network.

Passenger stock overview

The initial three generations of passenger trains total 149 high-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated cars, each measuring 28 feet in length and equipped with four doors on each side (two per section). While trains initially operated as single units occasionally, they now generally run as two-car sets; since 2010, a third car has been added on heavily trafficked routes. Each car provides seating for 70 passengers and can carry up to 284 individuals in total. The forthcoming B23 fleet will consist of a single five-car unit matching the length of current three-car trains and will feature 13 doors per side.

These vehicles do not have a traditional driver’s cab but include a concealed control console at each end for manual operation by PSAs when required. PSAs also oversee door closures and announcements via consoles located in every vestibule. The lack of a driver's compartment allows unobstructed forward or rearward views through fully glazed car ends. At least one PSA is mandated on every train to handle door operations and emergency procedures, especially within tunnel sections.

The design is based on the German Stadtbahnwagen B model used in light rail networks featuring street-running segments; however, DLR trains differ by drawing power from a bottom-contact third rail instead of overhead wires. There are four principal generations subdivided into multiple orders; three remain operational, with the latest introduced in 2008. Air conditioning is absent on all current units except for the upcoming B23 stock.

DLR trains can reach a maximum speed of , with operational speeds peaking around 80 km/h in the tunnel segment beneath the River Thames between Woolwich Arsenal station and King George V DLR station.

P86 and P89 rolling stock

The original fleet launched in 1987 consisted of eleven light rail vehicles (LRVs) built by Linke-Hofmann-Busch in Germany, numbered 01 through 11 and designated P86 stock—the 'P' indicating maintenance at Poplar DLR depot. These cars initially featured inward folding doors, which caused operational issues; subsequent models incorporated single-leaf sliding pocket doors.

Vehicle number 11 was distinguished by several notable events: it was equipped with a pantograph for a Manchester light rail trial in February 1987, transported Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during the DLR inauguration in July 1987, operated the first revenue service run, and became the first unit transferred to Essen in 1991. Each vehicle seated 84 passengers and was designed with wheelchair accessibility and an emergency operator console.

Constructed for above-ground operation, P86 cars did not comply with safety and fire regulations required for the tunnelled Bank extension due to lacking front and rear evacuation doors. Because costly upgrades were necessary to integrate new signalling systems, these vehicles were sold in 1991 to Essener Verkehrs-AG in Germany. Some remained active on the DLR until their withdrawal alongside P89 stock in July 1995. In Essen, they underwent comprehensive refurbishments between 1994 and 1998, initially retaining their DLR livery on route U11 before receiving a yellow paint scheme from 2005 onward as part of a wider deployment across all routes.

Between 1989 and 1990, British Rail Engineering Limited produced ten additional cars (numbers 12 to 21), known as P89 stock. These featured improved fireproofing suitable for tunnel use and closely resembled P86 units visually, with minor distinctions such as a deeper orange-red color below the end windows. By 1994, all P89s had been upgraded to sliding pocket doors. After their removal from DLR service in 1995, they were sold to Essen where extensive modifications allowed them to enter service between 1999 and 2004.

To adapt for operation on Essen’s Stadtbahn—which relies on overhead electrification rather than third rail power—both P86 and P89 units were retrofitted with driver’s cabs and pantographs. Today, these former London vehicles operate across all Essen lines (U11, U17, and U18), exemplifying effective international asset repurposing.

B90/B92/B2K rolling stock

As the Docklands Light Railway network grew, the original P86 and P89 trainsets were phased out due to their incompatibility with the evolving infrastructure. Bombardier Transportation produced a total of 94 vehicles at its Bruges facility in Belgium: 23 B90 stock units in 1991, 47 B92 stock between 1993 and 1995, and 24 B2K stock from 2001 to 2002. The B2K series introduced contrasting colors on doors and handrails to meet the requirements set by the Disability Discrimination Act's Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, a feature absent from earlier models.

The letter 'B' in their classification signifies maintenance responsibility at Beckton DLR depot. Built on a standardized platform, these trains can be combined flexibly into formations of up to three sets.

By late 2004, the DLR roster comprised:

• Units 22–44: Bombardier B90 (1991)
• Units 45–91: Bombardier B92 (1993–1995)
• Units 92–99 and 01–16: Bombardier B2K (2001–2002)

Due to limitations in the original signalling system restricting car numbers to two digits, B2K units restarted numbering at 01, reusing numbers previously assigned to P86/89 vehicles. This was rectified with an upgrade allowing three-digit identifiers before the arrival of the B07 stock.

Originally painted in a blue, white, and red scheme, several trains later displayed advertising liveries. A turquoise and blue color test applied to B90 unit 40 was ultimately not adopted. Between 2004 and 2007, the B90/B92/B2K fleet underwent refurbishment that introduced updated interiors and a new red and blue exterior with grey doors to comply with Disability Discrimination Act standards. These refurbished trains were equipped with Audio and Visual Information Systems providing announcements for destinations and upcoming stops to improve passenger information. Beginning in 2013, front ends were repainted black—aligning with the B07 design—following a public consultation.

Two B90 vehicles (numbers 38 and 39) were retired and scrapped after being withdrawn in May 2016 and March 2022 respectively; one B2K unit (number 98) was removed from service in July 2019 following accident damage. B92 unit 88 was taken out of operation in April 2020 due to electrical issues but was reinstated in early 2023 as a shunting locomotive for depot use at Beckton before final scrapping by March 2024.

B07 rolling stock

In May 2005, Bombardier secured a contract to supply 24 new vehicles designated as B07 stock (numbered from 101 to 124) intended to facilitate network expansion and support three-car trains on the Bank–Lewisham line. Although deliveries were planned between May 2007 and September 2008, they encountered delays. The initial unit arrived on 22 December 2007, with limited service commencing in September 2008 and full fleet operation achieved by July 2009.

A further order for 31 vehicles—sometimes referred to as B09—was placed in June 2006 to accommodate increased passenger volumes during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Manufactured at Bombardier’s Bautzen facility in Germany and partially financed by the Olympic Delivery Authority, these trains were delivered by mid-2010.

The B07 series introduced a refreshed design both externally and internally, featuring larger windows and doorways, enhanced legroom, improved acceleration capabilities, modified door mechanisms for expedited boarding, and upgraded braking systems for a smoother travel experience.

These trains were pioneers of three-car operation starting early in 2010 along the Bank to Lewisham route, with B92 units adopting this configuration later that year. Eventually, three-car formations were extended across other lines within the network.

Challenges with wheel design

DLR trains are equipped with wheels that have a sharper profile compared to those on National Rail mainline services, facilitating better handling of the tight curves characteristic of DLR tracks. Nevertheless, this wheel shape can induce severe vibrations at higher velocities on straight sections, a phenomenon referred to as hunting oscillation. To address this, the upcoming B23 rolling stock will be fitted with enhanced bogies and suspension systems designed to reduce such instabilities.

Moreover, the interaction between the wheel profile and the sharp curvature of the rails produces significant noise levels. This is further intensified by the steel box torsion girders utilized in elevated track segments near stations such as South Quay.

B23 rolling stock

In 2017, Transport for London (TfL) initiated a procurement process for a new fleet comprising 43 trains, each measuring 87 meters in length. The acquisition strategy involves an initial lease agreement with subsequent purchase contingent on funding availability. The shortlist of manufacturers included Alstom, Bombardier, CAF, and a Siemens/Stadler joint venture.

CAF secured the contract in June 2019 to deliver 43 units, a figure later increased to 54. Of these, 33 are intended to replace existing rolling stock, while the remainder will increase overall capacity. Funding of £280 million was provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities through the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support 14 additional trains and associated infrastructure upgrades.

Departing from the current fleet configuration of coupled two- or three-car sets, the new B23 trains feature fixed five-car formations with walk-through access throughout, comparable in length to three-car trains. These units incorporate modern amenities such as real-time passenger information displays, air conditioning systems, and charging points for mobile devices. TfL aims to enhance operational dependability with a target mean distance between failures impacting service set at 50,000 km. To accommodate the new fleet, Beckton depot is undergoing expansion while Poplar depot is being adapted for potential air rights development.

Manufacturing commenced in December 2020, with the first train delivered to Beckton depot in January 2023. The fleet was officially designated B23 stock in February 2023. Operational testing without passengers began in March 2023 during regular service hours.

In June 2024, TfL announced a postponement of the B23 introduction until autumn 2024 due to difficulties encountered during testing phases. By February 2025, most units remained stored in Spain owing to delays in completing Beckton depot expansion following the insolvency of contractor Buckingham Group in 2023.

Non-passenger vehicles

In addition to passenger units, the DLR maintains a limited number of specialized maintenance vehicles:

Number	Name	Manufacturer	Type	Quantity	Remarks
993	Kylie	Hunslet	4-wheel battery locomotive	1
994	Kevin Keaney	GEC	0-4-0 diesel shunter	1	Previously owned by British Steel.
996-999			Flatbed wagons	4
992	Sooty	Wickham	CT30 crane trolley	1
991		Rexquote	Road–rail vehicle	1

External links

• DLR at Transport for London