Introducing Docklands Light Railway
Elevated, automated, driverless. Meet the mode where you can feel as though you're driving the train!
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Industry and Jobs
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) was built to assist the creation of the London Docklands area as a business centre
Figures of Projected Jobs in Docklands once Redevelopment has occurred (1975-04-15)TfL Corporate Archives
Royal Day in Docklands (1987-08-14)TfL Corporate Archives
Opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 30 July 1987
Passenger services commenced on 31 August 1987
The Queen at the front of the DLR (1987-07-01)TfL Corporate Archives
It cost £77 million, had 15 stations, and was 13 miles long
Docklands Light Railway Travel Guide (1991-06-01) by Docklands Light RailwayTfL Corporate Archives
The Service Operated as 2 Routes
Tower Gateway to Island Gardens, and Stratford to Island Gardens
Even before opening day, planning was underway for the first extension, to Bank
Tube Map Showing Docklands Connections (1990) by London Regional TransportTfL Corporate Archives
The Bank extension opened in 1991, having began to be shown on the Tube Map from 1990
Docklands Light Railway Route Improvements and Extensions Map (2007-06-15) by Docklands Light RailwayTfL Corporate Archives
Another 5 Extensions Completed
Docklands is a place to live, work, and visit
East London Development Areas Map (1990-06-15) by London Regional TransportTfL Corporate Archives
Development
Extensions keep pace with and encourage the growth of Docklands as an international business and financial centre
DLR Lewisham Extension Parliamentary Exhibit Key Plan (1990) by London Regional TransportTfL Corporate Archives
There are now routes to Beckton and Lewisham (opened in 1994 and 1999)
The extension to London City Airport opened in 2005 and the route to Woolwich Arsenal in 2009
Update on Olympics enhancements on Docklands Light Railway (2009-01-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Stratford International
The latest extension came in 2011, with Stratford International opening in time for the London 2012 Olympics
Today, the DLR has 45 stations. It operates as a driverless, computerised system. This means the very front seats of the trains offer you a driver's view - perfect for budding train drivers!
DLR Train with Canal Barges in Foreground (2017-08-12)TfL Corporate Archives
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
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