Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
DLR, London
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) operates routes from Bank in the City to Lewisham in east London and Bank to Woolwich Arsenal. In addition, there are further routes from Tower Gateway to Beckton, Stratford to Lewisham or Canary Wharf and Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal. The first DLR line began in 1987 but has been extended several times since then. The DLR currently has 45 stations on 38 km of track. The trains are automated with no drivers or cabs. Altogether around 400,000 journeys are made each weekday on the network. Thus, the DLR is the busiest light rail system in the UK.
History
The DLR was part of the redevelopment of London's Docklands in the 1980s. The initial line was built over previous rail infrastructure between 1987-1990 and comprised 13 km of track with 15 stations.
Trains operated from Tower Gateway (near Tower Hill tube station and the Tower of London) to Island Gardens on the Isle of Dogs and from Stratford to Island Gardens. Stations were unstaffed and above ground.
As London Docklands began to develop as a major financial center around Canary Wharf, the DLR began to expand to meet increased demand.
Extensions
To connect Canary Wharf to the City of London the line was extended west to Bank underground station in 1991. Canary Wharf DLR Station was also greatly modernized and enlarged. The line also extended eastwards from Poplar via Canning Town to the Royal Docks.
The next extension was south under the River Thames to Greenwich and Lewisham. Among the new stations built was Cutty Sark, close to the famous tea clipper, now a floating museum and Deptford Bridge, convenient for Lewisham College and Deptford market.
In 2005 the DLR expanded again with a line from Canning Town to London City Airport and King George V Station. The extension roughly followed the former tracks of the Eastern Counties and Thames Junction Railway. In 2009, this line extended again to Woolwich Arsenal.
The DLR also runs now along parts of the North London Line to Stratford International where it is adjacent to the mainline station and convenient for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Trains
Trains now have three carriages as opposed to the first trains which had just a single carriage. Carriages have four doors.
Terminuses & Intersecting Stations
The main terminal stations are Bank and Tower Gateway in the west, Stratford International and Stratford in the north, Becton and Woolwich Arsenal in the east and Lewisham in the south.
The main intersections are Bank for the London Underground and Stratford, Stratford International, Lewisham, Woolwich Arsenal, Limehouse, Greenwich and West Ham all for mainline rail stations.
Tickets
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is part of Transport for London's (TfL) fare zone system. As well as using the Oyster Card to travel, passengers can purchase one-day and season DLR-only Rover tickets and one-day DLR Rail and River Rover tickets for use on the DLR and Thames river boats.
Bicycles on the DLR
Bicycles are allowed Monday to Friday before 7.30 am, between 9.30 am and 4 pm, and after 7 pm. They are also allowed anytime on weekends and bank holidays.
Information
TfL Customer Services
4th Floor
14 Pier Walk
London SE10 0ES
Tel: 0343 222 1234
www: tfl.gov.uk/modes/dlr
DLR Lost Property
Tel: 020 7363 9550
DLR Map & Stations
The full list of DLR stations is - Bank, Tower Gateway, Shadwell, Limehouse, Westferry, Stratford International, Stratford, Stratford High Street, Abbey Road, West Ham, Star Lane, Pudding Mill Lane, Bow Church, Devons Road, Langdon Park, All Saints, Poplar, Blackwall, East India, Canning Town, Royal Victoria, Custom House, Prince Regent, Royal Albert, Beckton Park, Cyprus, Gallions Reach, Beckton, West Silverton, Pontoon Dock, London City Airport, King George V, Woolwich Arsenal, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, Heron Quays, South Quay, Crossharbour, Mudchute, Island Gardens, Cutty Sark, Greenwich, Deptford Bridge, Elverson Road and Lewisham.
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