Overview
- The first new DLR train returned to passenger service this week, marking the start of a phased reintroduction of the 54‑unit air‑conditioned fleet.
- The fleet was withdrawn after a train failed to stop correctly at Canning Town in wet conditions on November 12, 2025, and engineers traced the problem to braking software that performed poorly under low rail adhesion.
- TfL and manufacturer CAF modified the trains’ braking systems, fitted equipment to improve wheel‑to‑rail grip, and completed an extensive programme of testing and assurance before allowing the first unit back into service.
- The rollout will begin on the Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal route and expand gradually while TfL closely monitors performance, with the new trains offering air conditioning, walk‑through carriages, live travel information and about a 10% capacity increase.
- Passengers endured several heatwaves without the new fleet this summer, prompting shifts to river services and e‑bikes, and TfL has apologised for the delay while stressing safety checks remain the priority as more units enter service.