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R.o.B Light Railways

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR)

 

Introduction: At one time London had been a very busy port since Roman times but with larger shipping and containerisation Londons docks were rapidly unable to cope. So in the early 1980s the Government decided that areas such as this needed drastic life pumping back in to it. From this businesses were attracted in to the area to build office blocks, homes, sports facilities, cafes and restaurants to develop the area. However since a lot of the railways that had served the area had long since closed and traffic was expected to be busy a new idea was put forward based on the Tyne and Wear Metro. This was to develop in to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Today the DLR is the world's fastest growing railway system and in December 2005 opened its newest extension to King George V via City airport and there are intentions for further development further east to Dagenham, to the Stratford international railway station and under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal.

The railway: The railway was to be built on a budget of just 77million Pounds taking only 3 years from commencement of building in 1984 to its opening by the Queen in 1987. The system originally ran from Tower Gateway and Stratford to Island Gardens which is on the North bank of the river Thames opposite Greenwich. The railway is owned by DLR limited that is a small company that owns the railway and its infrastructure and is part TfL (Transport for London) owned however the system is operated and maintained by SERCO Docklands limited. Serco has an operational franchise of 9 years that expires in 2006.

 

The routes:       Stratford to Lewisham via Canary Wharf and Crossharbour

                        Bank to Lewisham via Canary Wharf

                        Tower Gateway to Beckton

                        Tower gateway to Lewisham

                        Canning town to King George V

 

The Lewisham services pass under the Thames through a purpose built tunnel from Island Gardens where a new station was built underground by the site of the original station. The original line has been added to giving the routes listed above. The original route of the railway was to take it to Mile end in East London but as the trains would have had to run on the road for some distance it was decided that this was not compatible with automatic operation so the destination became Stratford. The Bank extension opened in July 1991 to connect with London underground services to a cost of 149million Pounds. The Beckton extension opened in March 1994 and incorporated 10 new stations though a new one at Canning town opened in 1998. This part of the line cost 224million Pounds. When the Lewisham extension was completed at a sum of 200million Pounds this added another 5 stations to the system. In December 2005 the latest extension of the DLR opened branching off the Beckton branch just south of Canning town to run for three miles to King George V via City airport. The line has stations at West Silvertown, Pontoon dock, City airport and King George V. The line is built on the route of the former Silvertown tramway and is expected to extend under the river Thames to Woolwich Arsenal. Creating 38 stations on the present operational routes and an operating Kilometerage of over 30km.

 

The trains: The trains themselves are electrically powered with a third rail collector. Down the middle of the track is the cable that gives the trains computer all the information that it needs on its journey. If there are any difficulties a Passenger service agent is always on the train and they can take over operation if necessary and are guided by the control room.

 

The units are 2 car sets though very like modern trams are effectively one vehicle with a flexible middle. They more often than not run in pairs to maximise on space and track usage.  Something that many people do not know is that the DLR has three locomotives. One is battery powered for use in the tunnels, one an electro diesel able to run on a diesel engine of the 3rd rail or battery and also a Ruston 0-4-0 diesel mechanical which was originally purchased for use in the depot to shunt the newly arrived trains. Sadly the Ruston is not used any more. Perhaps a preservation society should be formed to rescue it??

 

The line originally opened with 11 trains though with the initial extensions 10 more were bought between 1987 and 1991. However with the further extensions new more modern units coded B92 trains were added up to 1991.

 

Operations: Though the system was obviously expensive to build and develop a trip on the system today proves that it is well worth the expenditure as most trains are well used if not down right packed out! It is also a very enjoyable experience though it can be a little scary at first as you get used to their being NO DRIVER!!! This is because the system is computer controlled and monitored from a central control room in the depot at Poplar Beckton also has a train depot.

 

The signalling for the trains operates on a moving block system which utilises the latest technology and allows trains to run closer together in complete safety. The system is constantly monitored by the system controllers and also by the systems computer main frame that has a timetable built in to it. The trains own computer then talks to the central computer which gives it its instructions as to whether speed up or slow down or to wait at a station until the line is clear. All the normal things carried out by a driver and signalman on the railway or driver and controller on Trams and buses.

 

The trains are also fitted with Automatic Train Protection which allows trains to operate within their own safety zone and not allow any others to enter that zone. This system also regulates the speed of the train to its max line speed. The trains maximum operating speed is 50Kph. The trains run off a third rail arrangement as the London Council at the time was against the use of an overhead power system. It would also reduce the risk of incident occurring to the pantograph if something was on the wire there would be no driver to stop the train.

 

Links:

R.o.B DLR photo album

R.o.B Tyne and Wear Metro article

R.o.B Tyne and Wear Metro photo album

R.o.B Introduction to Light Railways

R.o.B The Light Railways Act 1896 explained

R.o.B The North Woolwich to Stratford railway

R.o.B The North Woolwich to Stratford photo album

TfL DLR Home page

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