Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has temporarily withdrawn new B23 trains introduced just six weeks ago after a braking fault caused one train to overshoot a platform. The incident led to the removal of three services while engineers investigate the root cause, according to Transport for London (TfL).

The trains, originally scheduled for introduction in April 2024, began entering service in early October. No passengers were injured, and TfL said the timetable continues to operate as normal despite the disruption.

Scott Haxton, TfL’s Director of Capital Delivery Infrastructure, said:

“There's been no injuries or any negative impact to our customers, it was an isolated incident. The timetable is operating as it was. From a customer service point of view, it's very much business as usual. Introducing new rolling stock onto any operational railway is incredibly complex... and it's not unusual to experience sort of performance related issues as they are bedding into the new network.”

TfL apologised for the problem but did not provide a timeline for when the trains will return to service. Meanwhile, older stock will continue to operate to maintain services on the light railway, which carries around 340,000 passengers daily.

The DLR is also operating a reduced timetable following the summer retirement of one-fifth of its 90 older trains, though TfL expects 54 new trains to be in service by the end of next year.

The B23 trains, built by Spanish manufacturer CAF, feature air-conditioning, walk-through carriages, mobile device charging points, and dedicated wheelchair spaces, and are designed to increase capacity by 50%. At launch, the Mayor of London highlighted that the new trains would improve reliability and support growth in housing and jobs, particularly in areas such as Stratford, Woolwich Arsenal, and the Isle of Dogs.

Image: Transport for London