Docklands Light Railway

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a public transport system for the redeveloped Docklands area of eastern London. It falls under the Transport for London umbrella organisation, but it is not part of the London Underground. The system was conceived in the late 1980s to aid the regeneration of the docks of East London, which had been derelict since the 1960s.

Four branches currently exist: to Lewisham in the south, Stratford in the north, Beckton[?] in the east and another leading into Central London (splitting to serve two nearby termini, Bank and Tower Gateway).

A new eastbound branch from Canning Town to North Woolwich, which will serve London City Airport is under construction. A further extension to South Woolwich is at the planning stage, this scheme would require a second tunnel under the River Thames. Extensions to Dagenham Dock and Stratford International are also being considered.

The type of train used is a multiple unit that is driven fully automatically: there is no driver. However, there is an attendant on all trains who acts as a guard, controlling the doors, making announcements and checking tickets.

The fares are comparable to those for London Transport's Underground lines although it must be noted that return fares on the Docklands Light Railway are priced at twice the single fare. There are no limited-stop trains on the DLR, so each train serves every stop along its route.

Main services:

Bank to Lewisham, Stratford to Lewisham, Tower Gateway to Beckton.

The stations on the Docklands Light Railway are:

West to East branches:

• Terminus: Bank for Central London
• Terminus: Tower Gateway[?] for The Tower of London
• Shadwell[?] (the separate tracks from Tower Hill and Bank meet at Shadwell)
• Limehouse
• Westferry
• Poplar[?]
• Blackwall[?]
• East India[?]
• Canning Town[?]
• Royal Victoria[?]
• Custom House railway station[?]
• Prince Regent[?]
• Royal Albert[?]
• Beckton Park[?]
• Cyprus[?]
• Gallions Reach[?]
• Terminus: Beckton[?]

North to South branches:

• Terminus: Stratford[?]
• Pudding Mill Lane[?]
• Bow Church[?]
• Devons Road[?]
• All Saints[?]
• Poplar (see above)
• West India Quay[?]
• Canary Wharf[?]
• Heron Quays[?]
• South Quay[?]
• Crossharbour and London Arena[?]
• Mudchute[?]
• Island Gardens[?]
• Cutty Sark[?] for Maritime Greenwich
• Greenwich[?]
• Deptford Bridge[?]
• Elverson Road[?]
• Terminus: Lewisham[?]

External links

• www.dlr.co.uk - Official Docklands Light Railway home (http://www.dlr.co.uk)