TfL has outlined plans to replace some of its ageing DLR trains and in the process increase the size of the fleet to cope with extra demand.
Docklands Light Railway currently runs with a mixed fleet of 149 trains supplied by Bombardier.
Introduced into service between 1990 and 1992, the B90/92 LRVs, which make up two-thirds of the DLR fleet, have reached the end of their 25 year design life.
They are starting to show increased maintenance issues, and TfL is either faced with replacing them, or spending ever increasing amounts on maintenance. Costs aside, more maintenance tends to mean less time on the tracks, with an attendant impact on network reliability.
Another cost-saving measure from deploying the new trains is avoiding the need to hire station staff to cope with overcrowding.
So the plan is to replace the older trains with new models, which will also be redesigned slightly. The main difference is that instead of fleets of 2 or 3 cars, there will be single units, with a fully walk-through design.
There will also be some form of air-conditioning, improved display screens, and perfect for the business area, mobile phone chargers.
The redesigned trains should be able to carry about 10 percent more passengers than the current trains.
Apart from maintenance issues for the old fleet, the increased demand comes from housing developments, particularly along the Royal Docks area by 2021.
There are already plans in place for around 100,000 additional homes across the area served by DLR, and there could be 100,000 more, should more low-density land be released for redevelopment.
Therefore, the main route for the new trains will be the lines towards Beckton, which will see more trains, and removing off the smaller 2-car units for the new 3-car length equivalent trains.
TfL plans to order at least 43 new trains, 33 to replace older models, and 10 for capacity increases. The plans also allow for a further 6 trains to support increased demand on the Stratford to Lewisham line, and an option should a mooted extension to Thamesmead get the go-ahead.
The intention is to award the contract for the new trains next July, with the first trains arriving just under 3 years later, following upgrades to the depot and signalling.
Some form of air conditioning? Why not just air conditioning, normal air conditioning, as is used around the world. Will the Routemaster air cooling disaster be repeated?
Most so-called air conditioning used in public transport is just air-cooling, without the necessary dehumidifying effect that air conditioning offers — it’s good enough for short trips, but not for long term, and considerably cheaper to run. So some-form of air conditioning will be considered, but the exact sort is up for grabs.
Is it possible to cool air without there being cool surfaces in the system on which moisture condenses in a way that produces some dehumidifying? Is the problem in not disposing of the condensation properly?
The new Routemaster disaster – so hot passengers nearly fainted – was caused because the much overrated designer Thomas Heatherwick refused to listen to advice and install front vent windows – just as they are on the marvellous old buses. These are so efficient they eliminate the need for any air conditioning..
Many of the first generation DLR trains are in servic in Essen as trams.
I bet there will be far fewer seats and that they will be more uncomfortable, to encourage people to stand. Similarly, there will be few if any transverse seats, so even more uncomfortable and no window seats for sightseeing.
And for heaven’s sake, it’s essential to fit really effective air conditioning; remember the District Line D78 stock fiasco when they had to spend millions retro-fitting opening windows?
As usual, I suspect it will be a case of ‘Improvement’ means Worse.