Docklands Light Railway introduces first new B23 train to service

The first of 54 new B23 trains has returned to passenger service on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), running on the route between Stratford International and Woolwich Arsenal. The fleet, manufactured by the Spanish company CAF, is being introduced to replace aging carriages that have been in service since 1991.

The reintroduction follows a temporary withdrawal of the fleet last November after an incident where a train overshot a platform due to low adhesion in wet weather. To address this, engineers modified the braking systems, installed equipment to improve wheel-to-rail grip, and implemented additional measures at key locations across the network to mitigate slippery conditions.

The new walk-through carriages are designed to increase capacity by 10 per cent and feature modern amenities including air conditioning, mobile charging points, live travel information screens, and enhanced accessibility features such as dedicated wheelchair spaces. Transport for London (TfL) stated that the rollout will be gradual, with the new fleet eventually replacing the existing rolling stock to improve reliability and comfort for commuters.