The first of a fleet of 54 new five-section air-conditioned aluminium-bodied trains that CAF is delivering to London’s Docklands Light Railway entered service with the blessing of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan on 30 September, on what he said was an exciting day and a milestone. The whole fleet is expected to be in service by the end of 2026 at a cost of £942M, replacing the 33 oldest B90/B92 stock that dates from 1991-95 and providing 20 extra trains for expansion. The first order for the new trains was placed in 2019 and delivered from early 2023 with the hope that they would carry passengers before the end of 2023, but extensive trials and testing, particularly of the automatic train control and monitoring system (Thales SelTrac), has meant an 18-month delay. The 86.7m, 116t, B23 stock with open gangways is accommodated at the expanded Beckton depot and first use was on the Stratford International – Woolwich Arsenal service. each train can accommodate up to 792 passengers (156 seated).
