The London Transport Authority (TfL) is considering temporarily withdrawing the new Docklands Light Rail (DLR) trains due to braking issues experienced during rainy weather. Officials and engineers are continuing their efforts to identify the root cause of the problem and find definitive solutions before safely returning to normal operations.
TfL Investigates Braking Issue
TfL is treating the incident as a safety test. Engineers are repeating the passages in rainy weather conditions to understand the problem in a laboratory setting. At the core of the incident, it was found that when rain falls on the rails, adhesion (stickiness) decreases, causing the train to fail to stop at the planned platform position. Although such low-adhesion conditions are a known challenge in rail transportation, they have caused unexpected performance issues in the new fleet.
Although the new trains have been withdrawn from service, the old DLR fleet continues to operate without interruption. This ensures the network remains operational until the new trains are put back into service.
Collaborative Efforts to Restore Operations
To resolve this critical issue, TfL is working closely with KeolisAmey Docklands, the operator of the DLR, and CAF, the manufacturer of the trains. The joint team is analyzing existing data to implement a solution that addresses both the braking problem and the factors affecting performance under low-adhesion conditions.
The new trains were introduced to increase capacity and improve accessibility on the DLR network. Therefore, their temporary withdrawal may seem like a setback in achieving the project’s goals, but officials prioritize passenger safety. As one planner noted, it is more prudent to take early precautions rather than wait for a major accident, to ensure that passengers can use the refurbished fleet as intended later on.
