Docklands Light Railway

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Docklands Light Railway shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Docklands Light Railway offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Docklands Light Railway at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Docklands Light Railway? Wrong! If the Docklands Light Railway is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Docklands Light Railway then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Docklands Light Railway? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Docklands Light Railway and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Docklands Light Railway wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Docklands Light Railway then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Docklands Light Railway site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Docklands Light Railway, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Docklands Light Railway, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox TfL line|Line=Docklands Light Railway|ColourName=Double Turquoise stripe|TextColour=White|YearOpened=1987|DeepOrSurface=Primarily elevated|RollingStock=DLR B Stock|StationsServed=38|LengthKm=31|LengthMiles=19|AnnualPassengers=60,000,000|Depots=Poplar
Beckton|-->The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a light rail system serving the redeveloped London Docklands area of East London, England. It extends to Stratford, London in the north, and Lewisham in the south, west to Bank and Monument stations, close to the City financial district, and east to the rest of the Docklands, London City Airport, Beckton and Woolwich. The DLR has separate track and trains from the London Underground, but the two systems share a ticketing system and the DLR appears on the London Underground’s Tube map.

The trains are computer-controlled and normally have no driver: a Passenger Service Agent (PSA) {{cite web | title = Technology | work = Docklands Light Railway | publisher = Transport for London | url = http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/dlr/keyfacts/1546.aspx | accessdate = 2007-08-29--> {{cite web | title = The Docklands Light Railway, London, UK | work = h2g2 | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A9948757 | accessdate = 2007-08-29--> on each train is responsible for patrolling the train, checking tickets, making announcements and controlling the doors. PSAs can also take control of the train in certain circumstances including equipment failure and emergencies. Stations are generally unstaffed except the ones below ground, which are required to be staffed in case evacuation is needed.

The DLR has been operated and maintained by a private franchise since 1997. The current franchise, due to expire in April 2013, belongs to Serco Docklands Ltd., a company jointly formed by Serco and the former DLR management team.

The DLR system is undergoing continuing expansion, with currently 38 stations. In 2006 it carried over 60 million passengers. Transport for London (2007) Docklands Light Railway carries 60 million passengers Retrieved April 5, 2007 The Docklands Light Railway was 20 years old on 31 August 2007 Transport for London (2007) .

History Before the DLR The decline of the docks east of London began in the early 1960s, as containerised traffic began to move overseas, and the declining UK manufacturing base shipped less and less through the docks. The opening of the Tilbury container docks, further east in Essex, sealed the fate of the docks, and in 1980 control of the now almost out-of-use docks passed to the British government.The Jubilee line as opened (Stanmore tube station to Charing Cross tube station) in 1979, was supposed to be the first stage in a new cross-town tube line, stretching from Charing Cross, via Ludgate Circus, Cannon Street station and Wapping tube station, to various sites in South-East London. One option considered was Lewisham via Surrey Quays, taking over the East London Line at that point; another was Thamesmead via West India Docks and Royal Docks.

Although land had been reserved for the construction of a second section (land at the derelict Ludgate Circus and Lewisham amongst others had been bought by London Transport in anticipation of the go-ahead), the escalating cost of a second-stage Jubilee Line saw the project officially postponed indefinitely in the early 1980s. LDDC website Retieved April 17, 2007

A search for a cheaper way to throw public transport across the docks, in order to stimulate regeneration, saw various plans, but the one investigated most eagerly was a light-rail scheme, exploiting much existing former railway infrastructure, to link the West India Docks to Tower Hill, and a northern terminus, either Stratford running alongside the Great Eastern lines out of London, or a street-running railway to the District Line and Central Line station at Mile End tube station. The final decision to invest in a fully automated railway precluded any tram-like ideas, and Stratford was chosen as the northern Terminus, using a bay platform at the far west of the station. Interchange here was with the Central Line and main lines, later the Jubilee Line (the regeneration of the docks brought the Jubilee plans full circle — an extension along the South Bank, via the Surrey Quays/Docks through Canary Wharf and on to Stratford via the next regeneration "hotspot", the Greenwich peninsula, opened in 1999).

The initial Tower Gateway DLR station/Stratford station to Island Gardens DLR station (at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs, next to the Thames facing Greenwich (see "extensions" below) was opened by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1987, the costs having been held down to £77 million — a relatively low figure considering the state of the art technology employed.

Initial system As originally conceived, the system was to be entirely above ground and comprise three branches, with their termini at Tower Gateway DLR station, Stratford station and Island Gardens DLR station.

Most of the track was elevated, either on new lightweight concrete viaducts or on disused railway viaducts, with some use of disused surface-level railway right of way.

The system was lightweight, with stations and trains only a single articulated vehicle long. The three branches together totalled 13 Kilometre,Docklands Light Railway (2005). Facts, with 13 stations. Retrieved February 26 2006. were connected by a flat triangular junction near Poplar. Services ran Tower Gateway-Island Gardens and Stratford-Island Gardens, meaning that the north side of the junction was not used in regular passenger service.

The stations on the initial system were mostly to a common design and were constructed out of a standard set of parts. The principal distinguishing feature of the stations was a relatively short half cylindrical glazed blue canopy to provide shelter from the rain.

First extensions looking east shows Fenchurch Street railway station approach tracks to the left, the original DLR line in the centre, and DLR train emerging from the tunnel to Bank and Monument stations to the right

The initial system proved to have insufficient capacity as the Docklands area developed into a major financial centre and employment zone. Additionally, the Tower Gateway terminus, situated at the very edge of the City of London, attracted criticism for its poor connections.

In response to this, all stations and trains were extended to two-unit lengths, and the system was extended into the heart of the City of London with a tunnel to Bank and Monument stations, which opened in 1991. This extension diverged from the initial western branch, leaving Tower Gateway DLR station on a limb. It also rendered the initial car fleet obsolete, as its construction was not suitable for use underground (see the #Rolling Stock section, below, and the main article Docklands Light Railway rolling stock).

At the same time, the areas in the east of London Docklands needed better transport connections to encourage development. This resulted in a fourth branch being constructed, from Poplar DLR station via Canning Town station to Beckton DLR station, running along the north side of the Royal Docks complex. Early designs showed several options through the Blackwall Area . As part of this extension, one side of the original flat triangular junction was replaced with a grade separation junction west of Poplar, and a new grade-separated junction was created at the divergence of the Stratford and Beckton lines east of Poplar. Poplar station was rebuilt to provide cross-platform interchange between the Stratford and Beckton lines.

The growth of the Canary Wharf office complex required the redevelopment of Canary Wharf DLR station from a small wayside station to a large complex with six platforms serving three tracks, beneath a large overall roof and fully integrated into the malls below the office towers. The original DLR station was never completed and was, in fact, dismantled before the line officially opened. The trains', automatic operation continued to stop at the location.

Second stage extensions Early in the days of the DLR's operation, the London Borough of Lewisham commissioned a feasibility study of extending the DLR under the Thames to Lewisham. The outcome of the study led the South London borough to push the case for an extension, and eventually a line to Greenwich, Deptford and Lewisham joined the roster of extensions.

The line was planned to leave the original DLR route south of Crossharbour turn-back sidings, dropping gently to Mudchute, a street level station replacing the high-level Mudchute on the former London & Blackwall viaduct. Immediately after, the line would drop into tunnel, tracing the route of the viaduct to Island Gardens, a just-below-surface station reached by a staircase. Crossing the Thames, the line would have a station in the centre of Greenwich, thereafter rising to the surface in deep tunnel and then cut-and-cover to a stop at the mainline Greenwich station, the southbound DLR track offering convenient cross-platform interchange with the city-bound mainline. From here, the line would snake across concrete viaducts to Deptford, Elverson Road (at street level on a road close to Lewisham town centre), terminating in two platforms lying directly under the mainline platforms at Lewisham, in walking distance of the town shopping centre, and bus services stopping directly outside the station.

The Lewisham extension, authorised as above, opened in 1999. With the opening of the extension, DLR took its first steps from being a local people-mover to a truly important backbone of the east/south-east London transport system. Further extension to Woolwich, already being shown on London tube maps, and to be built at or close to the future stop on the Crossrail line to Abbey Wood via West India and Royal Docks, will contribute to this growth.Map showing new and future extensions to the DLRRetrieved April 17 2007.

On 2 December 2005, a new eastward branch, running along the southern side of the Royal Docks complex, opened from Canning Town to King George V DLR station, via London City Airport.

Current system from the south.

The DLR now includes routes extending for a total of 31 Kilometre.Docklands Light Railway (2005). . Retrieved April 16, 2007. There are five branches: to Lewisham station in the south, Stratford station in the north, Beckton DLR station and King George V DLR station in the east, and to Central London, splitting to serve Bank and Monument stations and Tower Gateway DLR station. Although the system allows many different combinations of routes, at present the following four are operated in normal service:

Stratford to Lewisham
Bank to Lewisham
Bank to King George V
Tower Gateway to Beckton

Trains during peak times on the Stratford line turn back at Crossharbour and London Arena DLR station rather than continuing to Lewisham. There are also occasional trains from Tower Gateway DLR station to Crossharbour and Lewisham station. There are no limited-stop trains on the DLR: every train serves every station on its route.

The northern and southern branches terminate at the National Rail (main line) stations at Stratford and Lewisham. Other direct interchanges between the DLR and National Rail are at Limehouse station and Greenwich.

Map

Stations Many DLR stations are elevated, with others at street level, in a cutting, or underground. Access to the platforms is normally by staircase, very few stations having escalators. Since 2000, all DLR stations have had lifts or ramps, making them accessible by wheelchair. The stations have high platforms, matching the floor height of the cars, allowing easy access to the trains for passengers with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Most of the stations are of a modular design dating back to the initial system, albeit extended and improved over the years. This design has two side platforms, each with separate access from the street, and platform canopies with a distinctive rounded roof design. Most stations are unstaffed, although for safety reasons the three stations below ground, Bank and Monument stations, Island Gardens DLR station, and Cutty Sark DLR station, are staffed, as are a few of the busier interchange stations.

See List of Docklands Light Railway stations for stations on the system.

DLR Art On the 3 July 2007, DLR officially launched their own Art Programme similar to that in place on the London Underground, Platform for Art. Alan Williams has been appointed to produce Docklands Light Railway's first temporary commission. Known as "sidetrack" the project portrays the ordinary and extraordinary sites, often unfamiliar to passengers, along the route of the Docklands Light Railway.

Fares and ticketing Ticketing is part of the London Underground fare zone system, and Travelcards that cover the correct zones are valid.

There are also one-day and season DLR-only "Rover" tickets available, plus a one-day DLR "Rail and River Rover" ticket for use on the DLR and on City Cruises river boats. Oyster Pre-Pay is also available on the DLR — passengers need to both touch in and touch out their Oyster cards on the readers at the entrance / exit to the platforms, or pass through the automatic gates at selected stations.

Tickets must be purchased from ticket machines at the entrance to the platforms, and are required before the passenger enters the platform. There are no ticket barriers in DLR-only stations, and correct ticketing is enforced by on-train checks by the Passenger Service Agent. Exceptions to this rule are Bank and Monument stations, Canning Town station and Stratford station stations, where the DLR platforms are located within the barrier lines of a London Underground or National Rail station.

The DLR is used by up to a hundred thousand people daily, with around 60 million journeys yearly.

Accidents and incidents Overrun of station buffers Prior to the public opening of the railway, on 10 March 1987, a train crashed through station buffer stops at Island Gardens station and was left hanging from the end of the elevated track. The accident was caused by unauthorised tests being run before accident-preventing modifications had been installed. The train was being driven manually at the time. London Docklands Light Railway; Northern Line's Dot-Matrix Indicators RISKS Digest Volume 5 Issue 29 Article 3, 13 Aug 1987Report on the Docklands Light Railway Accident Which Occurred at Island Gardens Station on 10 March 1987, Modern Railways, May 1987"'Unauthorised Tests' Caused DLR Crash", Modern Railways, June 1987

Service difficulties with the Royal train In July 1987, a series of minor incidents marred the operation of the royal train (number E2R) carrying Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom as part of the ceremonies marking the opening of the line. The train had been manually dispatched from its starting point at Island Gardens station five minutes early because of the early arrival of the royal party. The train was on automatic control and so, being ahead of schedule, was held at the next station (Mudchute) for a few minutes before the driver reverted to manual control "to speed the Royal passage" and continued on to Poplar station, where the royal party were to disembark. At the station, a member of the royal security detail used the emergency exit to leave the train ahead of the Queen before it had fully stopped. This caused the train to make an emergency stop in the station, short of its normal position and out of range of the docking beacon that marked its arrival point. The train doors would not open, impeding the Queen's exit for several minutes. Railway automation, Stephen Colwill, RISKS Digest Volume 5 Issue 23 Article 4, 31 Jul 1987 Computer's Normal Operation Delays Royal Visit, Mark Brader, RISKS Digest Volume 5 Issue 52 Article 2, 29 Oct 1987"Opening of the Docklands Light Railway," Roger Ford, Modern Railways, September 1987

Collision at West India Quay bridge On 22 April 1991, two trains collided at a junction on the West India Quay bridge during morning rush hour, requiring a shutdown of the entire system and evacuation of the involved passengers by ladder. Another commuter train wreck in London, Jonathan I. Kamens, RISKS Digest Volume 11 Issue 52 Article 1, 23 Apr 1991Computer-controlled commuter trains collide in east London, UPI report relayed by ClariNet news service, 22 Apr 1991 One of the two trains was traveling automatically, operating without a driver, while the other was under manual control. Re: Trains collide in east London, Ian G Batten, RISKS Digest Volume 11 Issue 54 Article 10, 25 Apr 1991

South Quay bombing The Docklands Light Railway has also been the scene of a terrorist attack. On 9 February 1996, the Provisional Irish Republican Army exploded a lorry under a bridge near South Quay DLR station, killing 2 people and injuring many others. This number would have been higher if not for advance warning. The blast did £85 million damage and marked an end to the IRA ceasefire.

Rolling stock

The DLR is operated by high-floor, bi-directional, single-articulated cars with four doors on each side, each train consisting of two cars. The cars have no driver’s cab, although there is a small driver’s console concealed behind a locked panel at each car end from which the PSA can drive the car when 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 an unusual forward (or rear) view for passengers. The current stock has a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/hour).

Despite having high floors and being highly automated, the cars are derived from a Germany light rail design intended for use in systems with elements of street running. All the cars that have operated on the system to date look similar, but there have been several different types, some still in service and others sold to other operators. A further car type, with quite different styling, is to be introduced in 2007.

Signalling technology Originally, the DLR used Railway signalling based on a fixed block technology developed by GEC-General Signal and General Railway SignalDocklands Light Railway Official Handbook, Stephen Jolly and Bob Bayman (1986) ISBN 0 904711 80 3. This was replaced in 1994 with a Railway signalling#Moving block system developed by Alcatel, called SelTrac. The same technology is used for some other rapid transit systems, including Vancouver's SkyTrain (Vancouver), San Francisco's Municipal Railway (MUNI) and Hong Kong's MTR. Transmissions occur between each train's onboard computer and the control centre at Poplar. If this link is broken, the train stops until it is authorised to move again. If the whole system fails the train can run at only 20 km/h for safety until the system is restored. Also, emergency brakes can be applied if the train breaks the speed limit during manual control, or if the train leaves the station when the route has not been set. Railway Technology (2006) Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Extensions, London, United Kingdom Retrieved 23 November 2006

Future developments With the development of the eastern Docklands as part of the ‘Thames Gateway’ initiative and London’s successful bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, several extensions and enhancements are under construction, being planned or being discussed:Docklands Light Railway (2005). DLR Development Projects Retrieved February 23 2006.

New platforms at Stratford Status - Under Construction: first replacement platform has opened

The DLR had only one narrow platform at Stratford station. This limited capacity and hindered interchange with other services at this station and so two replacement platforms are being built. The last day of use of the old platform was 15 June 2007 and the first new one opened on Monday 18 June 2007 Press release on opening first new platform at Stratford, the second being due in September 2007. DLR official timetable for Stratford Station

Woolwich Arsenal extension Status - Under Construction

An extension of the London City Airport branch from King George V DLR station to Woolwich Arsenal railway station is under construction. This requires a second DLR tunnel crossing of the River Thames. The projected cost of £150 million is being met by Private Finance Initiative funding. Construction began in June 2005 and is due to be completed in February 2009. Mayor launches tunnelling of DLR Woolwich Arsenal Extension Retrieved April 28 2006.

On 23 July 2007, it was confirmed that both tunnels had been completed. Tunnel extending Docklands Light Railway to Woolwich completed

Langdon Park station Status - Under Construction Construction begins

A station at Langdon Park DLR station between All Saints DLR station and Devons Road DLR station is under construction. Work started on 17 November 2006 and if it is completed on schedule it will open towards the very end of 2007. The construction work means that the services between Poplar and Stratford are sometimes suspended at weekends.

Upgrading Bank - Lewisham route to 3-car trains Status - Contract let

The stations between Bank and Monument stations and Lewisham station will be upgraded to allow operation of 3-car trains to increase capacity. More frequent trains were considered as an alternative, but it was found that the necessary signalling changes would be as expensive as upgrading to handle longer trains but would provide fewer benefits.Docklands Light Railway. (2005). DLR Capacity Enhancement. Retrieved February 26, 2006.

It is expected that the work will be carried out during 2007-2009; the awarding of the £200m contract was confirmed on 3 May 2007 Extra carriage on every DLR train. The work involves the lengthening of platforms on most stations (except Bank and Monument stations), together with viaduct-strengthening works. Most of this section dates from the initial system originally built for single-car operation. South Quay DLR station will have to be moved as nearby curves preclude lengthening. Due to the cost and the risk to nearby historic buildings, the underground Cutty Sark DLR station will not be extended. Instead, use of Selective Door Operation (SDO) has been approved by the Railway Inspectorate at this station.

Other stations affected Although not on the Bank – Lewisham route, two other stations are included in the plans so as to improve operational flexibility. Poplar DLR station has already been lengthened in advance of the work elsewhere to confirm that the proposed method of construction is satisfactory. Tower Gateway DLR station is due to be converted from its current two-track terminal layout into a single longer platform. However the exact details of the Tower Gateway work are under review.Ian Allan Publishing. Modern Railways. March 2006.

Stratford International extension / North London Line conversion Status - Main construction contract let DLR on track for Stratford International as £67m contract awarded

On October 25 2006, permission was grantedDocklands Light Railway. 'Stratford International extension approved' article. Retrieved October 25 2006. for this extension from Canning Town to the new Stratford International station, taking over the North London Line infrastructure (which closed on December 9 2006) and linking the Docklands area with domestic and international high-speed services on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Four new stations will be built: Star Lane DLR station (formerly known as Cody Road), Abbey Road DLR station, Stratford High Street DLR station (formerly known as Stratford Market) and Stratford International. The branch will also serve London Underground and National Rail stations at West Ham and Stratford, London. All stations will be able to accommodate 3-car trains. The North London Line will terminate at Stratford in new platforms.

As part of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA) application, the DLR station at Royal Victoria on the Beckton branch will be extended to accommodate 3-car trains. It will have a third platform, which becomes possible because the part of the abandoned section of North London Line ran parallel to Royal Victoria station.Docklands Light Railway. Map showing proposed Royal Victoria station. Retrieved February 26, 2006.

The first contract for construction work was awarded on 10 January 2007 Major contract award signals start of work on DLR Stratford International Extension and construction work is expected to start in mid 2007. The announcement of the award of the main construction contract was made in early July 2007. The extension is projected to open early in 2010 and is an important part of the transport improvement package for the 2012 Olympic Games, which will largely be held on a site adjoining Stratford International.

Upgrading other lines to 3-car trains Status - Transport & Works Act approval given Transport Briefing DLR platform extensions secure T&W Act approval

When the work to allow 3-car trains between Bank and Monument stations and Lewisham station is complete, the only parts of the network unable to handle longer trains will be between Poplar DLR station and Stratford station, and between Poplar and Beckton DLR station. There is therefore a proposal to upgrade the remainder of the line, with the aim of carrying out the work between 2008 and 2010. As part of this, it is proposed to improve the junction north of West India Quay DLR station, which would preclude services on the Bank to Lewisham route from stopping at West India Quay. This would also allow services from Beckton and Woolwich to terminate at Canary Wharf or Lewisham.

Although approval for the required work was given on 24 July 2007, on 31 July 2007 TfL stated that the Beckton branch would not be upgraded at the moment, due to a lack of funding Docklands Light Railway to increase capacity by 50 per cent with three-car trains.

Dagenham Dock extension Status - In consultation phase, route safeguarded - 2016

This is a proposed extension from Gallions Reach to Dagenham Dock via the riverside at Barking. This would connect the Barking Reach area, a formerly industrial area now undergoing major redevelopment as part of the London Riverside, with the Docklands. This new route would cover major developments at Creekmouth, Barking Riverside, Dagenham Dock Opportunity Area, and five stations have been planned at Beckton Riverside, Creekmouth, Barking Riverside, Dagenham Vale and Dagenham Dock railway station. The extension is key if English Partnerships' plan is to work. As shown in DLR's first consultation leaflet DLR Barking Riverside consultation document , there are plans for the DLR to extend further than Dagenham Dock, possibly to Dagenham Heathway or Rainham railway station.

In the consultation document the proposed timetable suggests work commencing in 2011 and an opening date of 2016. Mayor Ken Livingstone was keen to have the extension open before the 2012 Olympic Games. However, the consultation on the route only began in January 2007 and as the demand for construction work leading up to the games will be considerable, it is unlikely that major work will begin on this until after the games.

DLR recently started the second phase of Consultation.

Thames Wharf station Status - Proposed

This station had been included as potential future development on the London City Airport extension since it was first planned. It would be between Canning Town station and West Silvertown DLR station, due west of the western end of Royal Victoria Dock. Since the station's intended purpose is to serve the surrounding area (currently a mix of brownfield and run-down industrial sites) when it is regenerated, the development is indefinitely on hold due to the area being safeguarded for the Silvertown Link, a new Thames river crossing proposed for opening by 2015.AlwaysTouchOut.com (2005). Silvertown Link Retrieved February 24 2006.

Connaught Road / Silvertown Interchange station Status - Proposed

A site near to London City Airport has been identified as a possible additional station on the London City Airport extension. It would be a possible interchange with Crossrail, between London City Airport DLR station and Pontoon Dock DLR station. However, no plans have emerged as to when this station is to be planned and built. The original extension was designed to allow a station to be built here. It may be located south of the Connaught Crossing.AlwaysTouchOut.com (2006). DLR to City Airport. Retrieved February 26 2006.

Charing Cross extension Status - Proposed - 2026

In February 2006 a proposal to extend the DLR to Charing Cross tube station from Bank and Monument stations DLR branch was revealed.Ian Allan Publishing. Modern Railways. March 2006. The idea, originating from a DLR "Horizon Study", is at a very early stage at the moment, but would involve extending the line from Bank in bored tunnels under Central London to the Charing Cross Jubilee Line platforms, which would be brought back to public use. These platforms are now on a spur off the current Jubilee line and are not used by passenger trains.

While not confirmed it is probable that the scheme would also use the existing overrun tunnels between the Charing Cross Jubilee platforms and a location slightly to the west of Aldwych tube station. These tunnels were intended to be incorporated into the abandoned Phase 2 of the Fleet Line (Phase 1 became the original Jubilee Line, prior to the Jubilee Line Extension). However they would need some enlargement because DLR loading gauge is larger than tube gauge and current safety regulations would require an emergency walkway to be provided in the tunnel.

The two reasons driving the proposal are capacity problems at Bank, having basically one interchange between the DLR and the central portion of London Underground, and the difficult journeys faced by passengers from Kent and South Coast between their rail termini and the DLR. Intermediate stations would be at City Thameslink and Aldwych, for future connection with the Cross River Tram.

Works contingent on Crossrail Status - Proposed

If Crossrail is approved some of the track between Bow Church and Stratford would need to be moved to the south. The opportunity would then be taken to double the track throughout and eliminate the only significant section of single track on the system.Ian Allan Publishing. Modern Railways. March 2006.

The current route projections for the cross-London Crossrail Line 1 entail interchanges with the DLR at Custom House, Stratford, and the provision for interchanges at West India Quay (with Crossrail Isle of Dogs station) and London City Airport (with Crossrail Silvertown station). Another option would be to provide an interchange with a possible new station on the DLR (see Connaught Road/Silvertown Interchange station section above).AlwaysTouchOut.com (2006). Crossrail. Retrieved February 23 2006.

Lewisham to Catford extension Status - Proposed - 2026

This extension was looked at during the latest Horizon Study. The route would follow the Southeastern (train operating company) line and terminate between Catford railway station and Catford Bridge railway station. However early plans showed problems due to Lewisham DLR station being only marginally higher than the busy A20 road which impedes any proposed extension. The plan is however being revised.Always Touch Out DLR to Catford When the Lewisham extension was first completed there were proposals to continue further to Beckenham to link it up with the Tramlink system. However, the way in which Lewisham DLR was built impeded this possible extension and would prove costly to redevelop.

See also

:Category:Docklands Light Railway stations
List of rapid transit systems
Rail transport in the United Kingdom
Transport in London (overview)
UK topics

References External links

Docklands Light Railway website
Tube Maps (including the DLR routes) on the Transport for London website
Collection of Google Earth locations of Docklands Light Railway stations (Requires Google Earth software) from the Google Earth Community forum.
Docklands Light Railway in-depth article on the h2g2 website
Initial problems with the DLR

{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0 auto;"|- style="background: #efefef;"! scope="col" | West:| Crossings of the River Thames! scope="col" ]| width="40%" style="text-align: center;" | Lewisham station branch,
between Island Gardens DLR station
and Cutty Sark DLR station| width="30%" | Jubilee Line
between Canary Wharf tube station
and North Greenwich tube station|-| width="30%" | Woolwich foot tunnel branch,
between [King George V DLR station
and Woolwich Arsenal railway station
(under construction)| width="30%" | Thames Gateway Bridge
(planned)] {{Infobox TfL line|Line=Docklands Light Railway|ColourName=Double Turquoise stripe|TextColour=White|YearOpened=1987|DeepOrSurface=Primarily elevated|RollingStock=DLR B Stock|StationsServed=38|LengthKm=31|LengthMiles=19|AnnualPassengers=60,000,000|Depots=Poplar
Beckton|-->The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a light rail system serving the redeveloped London Docklands area of East London, England. It extends to Stratford, London in the north, and Lewisham in the south, west to Bank and Monument stations, close to the City financial district, and east to the rest of the Docklands, London City Airport, Beckton and Woolwich. The DLR has separate track and trains from the London Underground, but the two systems share a ticketing system and the DLR appears on the London Underground’s Tube map.

The trains are computer-controlled and normally have no driver: a Passenger Service Agent (PSA) {{cite web | title = Technology | work = Docklands Light Railway | publisher = Transport for London | url = http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/dlr/keyfacts/1546.aspx | accessdate = 2007-08-29--> {{cite web | title = The Docklands Light Railway, London, UK | work = h2g2 | publisher = BBC | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A9948757 | accessdate = 2007-08-29--> on each train is responsible for patrolling the train, checking tickets, making announcements and controlling the doors. PSAs can also take control of the train in certain circumstances including equipment failure and emergencies. Stations are generally unstaffed except the ones below ground, which are required to be staffed in case evacuation is needed.

The DLR has been operated and maintained by a private franchise since 1997. The current franchise, due to expire in April 2013, belongs to Serco Docklands Ltd., a company jointly formed by Serco and the former DLR management team.

The DLR system is undergoing continuing expansion, with currently 38 stations. In 2006 it carried over 60 million passengers. Transport for London (2007) Docklands Light Railway carries 60 million passengers Retrieved April 5, 2007 The Docklands Light Railway was 20 years old on 31 August 2007 Transport for London (2007) .

History Before the DLR The decline of the docks east of London began in the early 1960s, as containerised traffic began to move overseas, and the declining UK manufacturing base shipped less and less through the docks. The opening of the Tilbury container docks, further east in Essex, sealed the fate of the docks, and in 1980 control of the now almost out-of-use docks passed to the British government.The Jubilee line as opened (Stanmore tube station to Charing Cross tube station) in 1979, was supposed to be the first stage in a new cross-town tube line, stretching from Charing Cross, via Ludgate Circus, Cannon Street station and Wapping tube station, to various sites in South-East London. One option considered was Lewisham via Surrey Quays, taking over the East London Line at that point; another was Thamesmead via West India Docks and Royal Docks.

Although land had been reserved for the construction of a second section (land at the derelict Ludgate Circus and Lewisham amongst others had been bought by London Transport in anticipation of the go-ahead), the escalating cost of a second-stage Jubilee Line saw the project officially postponed indefinitely in the early 1980s. LDDC website Retieved April 17, 2007

A search for a cheaper way to throw public transport across the docks, in order to stimulate regeneration, saw various plans, but the one investigated most eagerly was a light-rail scheme, exploiting much existing former railway infrastructure, to link the West India Docks to Tower Hill, and a northern terminus, either Stratford running alongside the Great Eastern lines out of London, or a street-running railway to the District Line and Central Line station at Mile End tube station. The final decision to invest in a fully automated railway precluded any tram-like ideas, and Stratford was chosen as the northern Terminus, using a bay platform at the far west of the station. Interchange here was with the Central Line and main lines, later the Jubilee Line (the regeneration of the docks brought the Jubilee plans full circle — an extension along the South Bank, via the Surrey Quays/Docks through Canary Wharf and on to Stratford via the next regeneration "hotspot", the Greenwich peninsula, opened in 1999).

The initial Tower Gateway DLR station/Stratford station to Island Gardens DLR station (at the southern end of the Isle of Dogs, next to the Thames facing Greenwich (see "extensions" below) was opened by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1987, the costs having been held down to £77 million — a relatively low figure considering the state of the art technology employed.

Initial system As originally conceived, the system was to be entirely above ground and comprise three branches, with their termini at Tower Gateway DLR station, Stratford station and Island Gardens DLR station.

Most of the track was elevated, either on new lightweight concrete viaducts or on disused railway viaducts, with some use of disused surface-level railway right of way.

The system was lightweight, with stations and trains only a single articulated vehicle long. The three branches together totalled 13 Kilometre,Docklands Light Railway (2005). Facts, with 13 stations. Retrieved February 26 2006. were connected by a flat triangular junction near Poplar. Services ran Tower Gateway-Island Gardens and Stratford-Island Gardens, meaning that the north side of the junction was not used in regular passenger service.

The stations on the initial system were mostly to a common design and were constructed out of a standard set of parts. The principal distinguishing feature of the stations was a relatively short half cylindrical glazed blue canopy to provide shelter from the rain.

First extensions looking east shows Fenchurch Street railway station approach tracks to the left, the original DLR line in the centre, and DLR train emerging from the tunnel to Bank and Monument stations to the right

The initial system proved to have insufficient capacity as the Docklands area developed into a major financial centre and employment zone. Additionally, the Tower Gateway terminus, situated at the very edge of the City of London, attracted criticism for its poor connections.

In response to this, all stations and trains were extended to two-unit lengths, and the system was extended into the heart of the City of London with a tunnel to Bank and Monument stations, which opened in 1991. This extension diverged from the initial western branch, leaving Tower Gateway DLR station on a limb. It also rendered the initial car fleet obsolete, as its construction was not suitable for use underground (see the #Rolling Stock section, below, and the main article Docklands Light Railway rolling stock).

At the same time, the areas in the east of London Docklands needed better transport connections to encourage development. This resulted in a fourth branch being constructed, from Poplar DLR station via Canning Town station to Beckton DLR station, running along the north side of the Royal Docks complex. Early designs showed several options through the Blackwall Area . As part of this extension, one side of the original flat triangular junction was replaced with a grade separation junction west of Poplar, and a new grade-separated junction was created at the divergence of the Stratford and Beckton lines east of Poplar. Poplar station was rebuilt to provide cross-platform interchange between the Stratford and Beckton lines.

The growth of the Canary Wharf office complex required the redevelopment of Canary Wharf DLR station from a small wayside station to a large complex with six platforms serving three tracks, beneath a large overall roof and fully integrated into the malls below the office towers. The original DLR station was never completed and was, in fact, dismantled before the line officially opened. The trains', automatic operation continued to stop at the location.

Second stage extensions Early in the days of the DLR's operation, the London Borough of Lewisham commissioned a feasibility study of extending the DLR under the Thames to Lewisham. The outcome of the study led the South London borough to push the case for an extension, and eventually a line to Greenwich, Deptford and Lewisham joined the roster of extensions.

The line was planned to leave the original DLR route south of Crossharbour turn-back sidings, dropping gently to Mudchute, a street level station replacing the high-level Mudchute on the former London & Blackwall viaduct. Immediately after, the line would drop into tunnel, tracing the route of the viaduct to Island Gardens, a just-below-surface station reached by a staircase. Crossing the Thames, the line would have a station in the centre of Greenwich, thereafter rising to the surface in deep tunnel and then cut-and-cover to a stop at the mainline Greenwich station, the southbound DLR track offering convenient cross-platform interchange with the city-bound mainline. From here, the line would snake across concrete viaducts to Deptford, Elverson Road (at street level on a road close to Lewisham town centre), terminating in two platforms lying directly under the mainline platforms at Lewisham, in walking distance of the town shopping centre, and bus services stopping directly outside the station.

The Lewisham extension, authorised as above, opened in 1999. With the opening of the extension, DLR took its first steps from being a local people-mover to a truly important backbone of the east/south-east London transport system. Further extension to Woolwich, already being shown on London tube maps, and to be built at or close to the future stop on the Crossrail line to Abbey Wood via West India and Royal Docks, will contribute to this growth.Map showing new and future extensions to the DLRRetrieved April 17 2007.

On 2 December 2005, a new eastward branch, running along the southern side of the Royal Docks complex, opened from Canning Town to King George V DLR station, via London City Airport.

Current system from the south.

The DLR now includes routes extending for a total of 31 Kilometre.Docklands Light Railway (2005). . Retrieved April 16, 2007. There are five branches: to Lewisham station in the south, Stratford station in the north, Beckton DLR station and King George V DLR station in the east, and to Central London, splitting to serve Bank and Monument stations and Tower Gateway DLR station. Although the system allows many different combinations of routes, at present the following four are operated in normal service:

Stratford to Lewisham
Bank to Lewisham
Bank to King George V
Tower Gateway to Beckton

:Category:Docklands Light Railway stations
List of rapid transit systems
Rail transport in the United Kingdom
Transport in London (overview)
UK topics

References External links

Docklands Light Railway website
Tube Maps (including the DLR routes) on the Transport for London website
Collection of Google Earth locations of Docklands Light Railway stations (Requires Google Earth software) from the Google Earth Community forum.
Docklands Light Railway in-depth article on the h2g2 website
Initial problems with the DLR

DLR | Transport for London
The crime-busting station on the DLR. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has hailed a new weapon in his fight to cut crime in the capital - a revamped Docklands Light Railway ...

Docklands Light Railway | Transport for London
Docklands Light Railway. Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a small organisation that owns the assets of the railway. Part of TfL, its role is to provide for the operation of the ...

Docklands Light Railway : TheTrams.co.uk
Docklands Ligh Railway is the light rail system linkinbg London's redeveloped Docklands with Central and South London. Found out all about the Docklands Light Railway ... The ...

Docklands Light Railway - Amazing Days - Privacy Statement
Privacy Statement. Docklands Light Railway has developed this website to be used and enjoyed by people of any age. We fully respect the privacy of any individual entering or using ...

Docklands Light Railway - Amazing Days - What's On
What's On Forget the routine! The problem is deciding what to do first! Forget the routine! East London, Docklands and Greenwich are bursting with special reasons to visit.

Docklands Community
Dockland Community News and Community Events in the Docklands ... Our Community Ambassadors can help you with using the DLR. They speak a variety of languages;

Docklands Light Railway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Docklands Light Railway (abbreviated DLR) is a light rail system serving the redeveloped Docklands area of East London, England. It opened on August 31, 1987 and after ...

Docklands Light Railway - Press Room - Latest News - Details
Docklands Light Railway - Latest News Skip to navigation 10/12/2007 New Docklands Light Railway station opens at Langdon Park. A new station on the Docklands Light Railway has ...

Docklands Light Railway - Press Room - Latest News - Details
Docklands Light Railway - Latest News Skip to navigation 28/07/2008 Normal services will return between Crossharbour and Lewisham after the Bank Holiday on 25 August

Amazon.co.uk: Docklands Light Rail: Official Handbook: Alan Pearce ...
Amazon.co.uk: Docklands Light Rail: Official Handbook: Alan Pearce: Books ... This item is not eligible for Amazon Prime, but millions of other items are.