30 years of the Docklands Light Railway

A DLR train at Pontoon
Dock, 7th April 2017

Opening on the 30th July 1987, the DLR today celebrates 30 years of serving East London. With just 15 stations open in 1987, the DLR has massively expanded and carries over 122 million passengers a year to and from 45 stations, connecting the Docklands, East London, South London and the City together. Famous for being driver less, sitting at the front of the DLR is still something that makes me excited. Although it is not a London Underground line, I thoroughly enjoy riding around on the DLR. So sit back, relax, as I take you on a quick journey through 30 years of history.

The view of Docklands
from Tower Bridge,
17th June 2017

The docks are an important part of London's history, but with various factors in the 1960s such as the rise of air travel to transport goods, boats becoming too large to navigate the Thames and good increasingly being transported in containers meant less staff were needed to take goods off boats as a crane could do most of the work, meant that this part of London was in serious decline. In 1966 the area lost a major railway, the London and Blackwall Railway, which closed due to reduced passengers numbers. However, in 1981 the government created the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) which became incredibly influential in regenerating the Docklands which were a site of low population, high unemployment and lack of leisure and recreation facilitates. 

Platforms at Royal Victoria,
7th April 2017

There was a demand for a cost effective transportation to be built to supply the Docklands to connect the new business district at Canary Wharf, with the City and with the newly opened London City Airport. A variety of proposals were considered, with ideas such as having a terminus at Aldgate East, and allowing DLR trains to integrate with the London Underground network and use the District line tracks to serve other stations in the city. However, the cheapest and easiest option was to use the site of the old Minories railway station, becoming Tower Gateway, which is located close to Tower Hill London Underground station. The original route from Tower Gateway to Stratfrod and Island Gardens was mainly built on disused railway viaducts or disused surface railway formations. 

How did the DLR expand?

How the DLR integrates
with the London Underground
at Canning Town,
4th April 2017

Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the DLR on the 30th July 1987, but passenger services did not begin until 31st August 1987. In 1991 the station at Canary Wharf opened to the public, as did the DLR platforms at Bank. Tower Gateway received criticism due to there not being a direct interchange with the London Underground, and the railway usage was larger than expected. The DLR than expanded further east out to Beckton in 1994 and Pudding Mill Lane station opened in 1996. The tunnel under the river Thames to Lewisham opened in 1999. Another new branch was opened in 2005, originally terminating at King George V, but then extended under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal in 2009. Langdon Park opened in 2007, before a new branch from Canning Town to Stratford International was built via. West Ham in 2011. 

The DLR is an important
service to Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Only five stations on the DLR have ticket barriers, but this does still mean you need to pay to use the other 40 stations. To ensure passengers are correctly paying for the DLR, random on-train inspections are conducted regularly. So make sure you remember to tap in and tap out to avoid paying a penalty fine of up to £80. The DLR integrates with local bus services, London Overground, Emirates Airline, National rail services, TFL Rail (which is currently slowly becoming part of Crossrail), London City Airport, Riverboat services and the London Underground. The DLR is also fully accessible to wheelchairs, with access available at each station. 

I believe the DLR has been a success over the last 30 years, and the fact there are ongoing plans to expand the railway further is testament to this. To mark 30 years of service, Transport for London have produced Destination DLR, which includes 30 thing to do by using the Docklands Light Railway. Out of the 30 things they suggest you do, I highly recommend the following five things:

1) Crossrail Place

The new Crossrail station
at Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Canary Wharf is a modern business district that is home to some of the worlds largest businesses. The area is currently undergoing exciting times in terms of transport as Crossrail nears completion. If you want a taste as to what lies ahead visit the impressive roof garden and sample the facilities that will soon become heart of the station in December 2018.

2) Museum of London Docklands

If you are interested in the history of this part of London I strongly recommend that you visit the Museum of London Docklands which is a short distance from West India Quay. Until 3rd September 2017 you can discover 8,000 years of human history that was unearthed by the Crossrail project. 

3) Greenwich Market

Greenwich Market is a gem in the middle of Maritime Greenwich, which itself is home to the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. If you love street food, then Greenwich Market is perfect for you. From Ethiopian Vegetarian Food, to German Bratwurst, to Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Greenwich Market has plenty of choice for you to dive into, as well as quirky market stalls.

4) MBNA Thames Clippers

If you are a commuter and you want a more relaxing way to travel across London, or a tourist and want to see the sights of London, then why not try using MBNA Thames Clippers? Piers near DLR stations include Canary Wharf, Masthouse Terrace (near Mudchute and Island Gardens), Greenwich (nearer Cutty Sark for Maritime Museum than Greenwich station) and Woolwich (Royal Arsenal). Services go to Putney, Chelsea Harbour, Westminster, Blackfriars, Tower and many more locations along the river Thames. 

5) Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park,
June 2014

London is not only celebrating 30 years of the DLR, but fiver years since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. To marvel in some of the sights and sounds of London 2012 you can still visit the Olympic Park. Until 2nd September 2017 explore the UK's largest urban park, slide down The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, or if you are not a thrill seeker, visit the top for some incredible views of the Olympic Park. You can also swim in the same pool where Michael Phelps broke the record for the most Olympic medals won. 

The DLR itself is a pleasant transportation experience, as well as providing access to many of London's leading attractions and venues, from the Cutty Sark to the ExCeL. Why not grab your Oyster card and explore the wonders of the DLR?

Top 10 Underground Stations

Despite there being 270 stations, some of the stations are nicer than others. This is a list, in my opinion, of the best London Underground stations. As I go round the network this list will change and develop. It has been incredibly difficult to narrow this down to just ten. If there are any stations that you think should be on the list, please let me know in the comments.

10 - Kew Gardens

10 - Kew Gardens,
28th May 2017.

In at number 10 is Kew Gardens on the Richmond branch of the District Line. The station buildings are one of only a few examples left in London of mid-Victorian railway architecture. Kew Gardens features numerous plants, which helps brings the station to life. I am a fan of the use of plants in London Underground stations. But, perhaps the reason I like Kew Gardens so much is it is the only London Underground station to have a pub attached to it. Originally called 'The Railway', after a period of renovation in 2013 the pub reopened as The Tap on the Line. The pub has a door to access platform 1, however, this is no longer in use.  The station has had an interesting history with the railway, which, along with the charming appeal of the station, makes Kew Gardens a must visit for enthusiasts.

9 - East Ham

9 - East Ham,
6th February 2017.

My 9th favourite station is another on the District line (as well as the Hammersmith & City line). East Ham features highly due to their use of plants. The station features a disused platform, which closed in 1958. The platform was connected to the Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway, which is now part of the Gospel Oak to Barking line. This platform has since be converted to a garden. I am aware of a similar example at Chesham, but I have not yet been there. The grand Edwardian station building is also something to look out for. Next time you see yourself at East Ham look out for the canopy which features the letters LTSR, which stands for London, Tilbury and Southend Railway, as this railway opened the station in 1858 with Metropolitan District Railway services starting in 1902.

8 - Sudbury Town,
3rd June 2017

8 - Sudbury Town

Sudbury Town is the first station on my list to be designed by Charles Holden, famous for 'making concrete look beautiful' by designing 47 London Underground stations. Sudbury Town is like no other London Underground station as it is the only one to feature a barometer, and features a unique font on their roundels that no other station on the network uses. This station features many amazing features including a beautiful waiting room, an original ticket booth and numerous heritage signs. If you are a fan of unique stations, Sudbury Town is a must visit. The station building is one of Holden's best, along with, in my opinion, Chiswick Park, Arnos Grove and Southgate.

7 - North Ealing

7 - North Ealing,
3rd June 2017

North Ealing is perhaps the most surprising out of the stations to appear on my top 10, as not many other sites, blogs or forums site this station is one of the best on the network. North Ealing is a charming station situated on the Piccadilly line. The station is the only one on the South Harrow branch not to be designed by Charles Holden, and as a result has an interesting style. North Ealing looks as if it should be located in rural England, on an obscure branch line, but instead is located in zone 3. 550m away is West Acton on the Central line, which receives a more frequent service than North Ealing. The station has preserved its heritage really well, with numerous original features, and a gorgeous station building. Despite being located near the North Circular road, you get the feeling you are out of London, and in my opinion, along with Roding Valley, North Ealing is one of the best stations on the network to sit back and relax at.

6 - Westminster

6 - Westminster,
7th April 2017

It would be difficult to have a top 10 London Underground stations and not feature Westminster. The station is a tourists favourite when it comes to the London Underground. Although it is the 26th busiest station on the network, it is a key spot for tourists. With 17 escalators, Westminster is an impressive station. However, the reason I love Westminster is because it is, perhaps, the best example of where 'new meets old' on the network. At Westminster, the Jubilee line, which was opened here in 1999, meets the District and Circle line platforms which opened in 1868. According to a poll conducted by Transport by Design, Westminster is the most popular station amongst Londoners. So why isn't Westminster my favourite station? I do believe the next five stations offer something Westminster does not, and that is heritage and/or uniqueness.

5 - Putney Bridge

5 - Putney Bridge,
14th February 2017

Putney Bridge is a charming station situated on the branch of the District line going towards Wimbledon. With numerous heritage signs, lovely waiting rooms and exits which are only used on match days at nearby Craven Cottage, Putney Bridge is an exciting, yet traditional station in West London. Part of why Putney Bridge is special is it is situated in a lovely part of London. The station was the terminus of the Metropolitan District Railway for nine years between 1880 and 1889, when the railway extended over the river Thames towards Wimbledon. Overall, the entire branch of the District line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon is special, with West Brompton, Wimbledon Park and Parson's Green being noticeable contenders for my favourite stations. Putney Bridge is a little jewel of a station, and I highly recommend that you take the time to come out to West London to explore the station, and other stations on the branch, as you will not be disappointed.

4 - Canary Wharf

4 - Canary Wharf,
4th April 2017

Canary Wharf is a modern station and with lots of plans for the future, Canary Wharf is going to become even more of a major station for the capital. Canary Wharf is the busiest station on the network to be served by just one line with over 54 million people using the station in 2016. The Jubilee line station links up with Docklands Light Railway, and will link up with Crossrail (or the Elizabeth line as it will be known). This new station looks really impressive, and you can currently visit the garden in the roof of the Crossrail station, well worth a visit. An interesting fact about Canary Wharf is if you want to change for the DLR at Canary Wharf, it is quicker to do so at Heron Quays, as it is slightly nearer to the entrance of the Jubilee line station. Canary Wharf features the largest roundels at platform level, five entrances and once featured a cinema. According to a poll in 2013 by Yougov, is the "Most Loved" on the London Underground. The station is incredible modern, spacious and a delight to visit. 

3 - Gloucester Road

3 - Gloucester Road,
26th May 2017

Built in 1868, Gloucester Road is a gorgeous station with lots of character. The station is served by the District and Circle lines at cut and cover level, and the Piccadilly line at a deeper level. There are four platforms at cut and cover level. Westbound District line services use platform 1, Westbound Circle line services use platform 2, and Eastbound District and Circle line services share platform 3, leaving the 4th platform as disused. The disused platform at Gloucester Road is used as an art display for Transport for London's Art on the Underground. The metro perfectly describe the station as "if there's a Tube station that could double for a church, it's Gloucester Road, which has a serenity you won't find elsewhere on the network". The entrance to the Piccadilly line is in terracotta red, and is a delight to see. Overall, the station is well worth a visit, and with art that changes four times a year, there is plenty to warrant you to come back for.

2 - Oval

2 - Oval,
9th February 2017

I believe that Oval station is often overlooked when people describe their favourite London Underground stations, but there is really nothing not to love about it. The only Northern line station to appear on my list, Oval is one of just two stations on the network to be four letters long and has had a long history with the nearby Oval cricket ground. The station opened in 1890 and features cricketers incorporated with the tiling in the ticket hall, classical music and gorgeous lighting on the escalator from the ticket hall to the platforms. The tiling makes Oval unique and unlike any other on the network. I am personally not a big fan of cricket, but the history associated with the sport and Kennington Park opposite is fascinating. The station building once sported a lead-covered dome on top of the lift shaft. If you want to know what the station would have looked like with the dome, head one station north to Kennington. Also follow Oval on twitter as they share their thought of the day. The station also has a book exchange and featured on the BBC Two documentary The Tube. If you have not yet visited Oval, I strongly suggest that you do, you will not be disappointed.

1 - Gants Hill

1 - Gants Hill,
11th May 2017

If you are a regular reader of my blog, this will come as no surprise to you, but my favourite station on the entire London Underground that I have been to so far is Gants Hill. Gants Hill is the only station in my list to be served by the Central line. At a first glance, Gants Hill appears to be just a roundabout, but beneath is a Charles Holden classic. Holden drew inspiration from the Moscow Metro, and the station features a dominating roof like no other. There are lots of little features at Gants Hill which add up to make the station a classic. There are numerous roundels situated within the tiling at the station, a clock which has roundels replacing numbers, and the benches feature lighting which helps light up with dominating roof. Built in 1947, the station, and this part of the Central line, had an interesting history during World War Two. Gants Hill is the Eastern most station to be entirely underground. With lots to look out for, Gants Hill is a magnificent station that you have to visit.

London Underground Rolling Stock Review

One of my most read, talked about and popular posts was 'Saying goodbye to the D Stock'. Since then I have received numerous questions about the rolling stock on the London Underground, so I am going to take you through my thoughts and opinions of every one of the rolling stock used on the London Underground in age order. Online there are differences in the number of seats and capacity of passengers, I have took my information from Rolling Stock Sheets 4. 

1972 Stock - Bakerloo line

A refurbished 1972 Stock
between Lambeth North
and Elephant & Castle,
9th February 2017

The 1972 Stock, which is used by the Bakerloo line, is the oldest and most unique stock on the London Underground. Rolled out between 1972 and 1975, the 1972 Stock has 7 cars, 268 seats and can carry around 700 passengers. Despite now being known for serving the Bakerloo line, the 1972 Stock was initially ordered for the Northern line, as the line did not have enough trains to cope with demand. All trains still in service were refurbished between 1991 and 1995, and have again began further refurbishments since 2016, due to be completed in 2020. The 1972 Stock is the most tired looking on the network, despite new refurbishments. Personally, I am a fan of heritage on the London Underground, so there is something special about the 1972 Stock that I am particularly fond of. However, I understand why tourists and commuters dislike this Stock and find it uncomfortable. For train spotters, the 1972 Stock is a delight, but it is understandable why this Stock is the brunt of jokes and unpopular amongst many Londoners. As Londonist coined it "never again will we see a tube train that's so comfortable in its own wrinkled skin".

1973 Stock - Piccadilly line

A poster on a 1973 Stock
showing places of interest
the Piccadilly line serves,
3rd June 2017

Despite being built in the same decade as the 1972 Stock, the two, from the inside, look decades apart. However, this is due to the refurbishment of the entire fleet which occurred between 1996 and 2001. During this period, transverse seating was removed, straphangers were replaced by grab rails and the end of the cars were fitted with windows. The 1972 Stock still features transverse seating, and it is likely they were replaced on the 1973 Stock during the 90s due to the Piccadilly line serving Heathrow and a need to create luggage accommodation for passengers for the airport. The first train was introduced in 1975 and is 6 cars in length, with 228 seats and a capacity of 684 passengers. In 2006, the 1973 Stock was fitted with a system to allow the driver to chose between a tourist setting or a commuter setting for automated announcements. The Piccadilly line markets itself as a line to connect people with Heathrow and through tourist hotspots in central London, so if the driver selects the tourist setting announcements such as "alight here for" .... "Buckingham Palace", "The museums and Royal Albert Hall" and "London Transport Museum" occur to aid tourists. Personally I have begun to notice how dirty the Piccadilly line trains have become. It is common to see an unoccupied seat moquette lift up. However, the trains are relatively comfortable, in my opinion, and on certain routes it is highly likely you will get to use a seat. 

1992 Stock - Central line and Waterloo & City line

The interior of the 1992 Stock
on the Central line at Newbury
Park,
3rd April 2017

The 1992 Stock is the only 'tube' stock to currently operate on more than one line. Many may not realise that the same stock serves both lines as there are some suitable, but noticeable differences between the Central and Waterloo & City lines. The most noticeable difference is the number of carriages used on the Central line compared to the Waterloo & City line. The Central line is twice as long by having 8 carriages, compared to the Waterloo & City line having 4 carriages. This means the Central line can carry over 480 more passengers than the Waterloo & City line. In 2011, the 1992 Stock was refurbished, with new moquettes on both the Central line and Waterloo & City line. However, the Central line fleet underwent further refurbishment, which saw improvement to lighting, tinted windows and new cab ends. When the trains went into operation in 1993, they were the first on the network to have a Digital Voice Announcer (DVA) from new. The Waterloo & City line is well known for being the only line to be entirely underground, and this includes where the trains 'sleep' when they are not in service. In order to get the trains onto the tracks, at Waterloo station there is a crane on Spur Road which they use to take the fleet off lorries onto the tracks underground. Central line trains are well known for being rather hot during the summer, and the curved ceiling means that during peak times passengers have to curve their backs to fit into the carriages. 

1995 Stock - Northern line

The interior of the 1995 Stock
on the Northern line between
Tooting Broadway and Colliers
Wood,
28th May 2017

The 1995 Stock was rolled out between 1998 and 2001 on the Northern line, and replaced 1959 Stock and 1972 Stock, which is still in service on the Bakerloo line. The trains are 6 cars in length, feature 200 seats, and can carry roughly 660 passengers. The 1995 Stock is the only deep-level tube stock to operate selective door opening, this is due to shorter platforms at stations such as Moorgate, Charing Cross and Clapham Common. Before April 2016, the 1995 Stock was unique in the fact that at stations which interchange with National Rail, the announcer would say "Main Line Intercity and Suburban Rail Services" instead of "National Rail Services". However, since April 2016 the new announcements say "National Rail Services". All 106 1995 Stock trains were recently refurbished between 2013 and 2015. The improvements saw the yellow grab rails re-painted dark blue, new flooring fitted and a new moquette on the seats. The external door buttons were plated over, and internal door buttons were replaced by a visual warning light. I find the interior of the 1995 Stock comfortable and relatively spacious for deep-level stock. 

1996 Stock - Jubilee line

Un-refurbished 1996
Stock at Stratford,
4th April 2017

Entering service in 1997, one year before the 1995 Stock, the 1996 Stock is very similar to the 1995 Stock, especially when they entered service during the late 1990s and early 21st Century. The stocks have different layouts and cab designs, but the most apparent difference is technical. The 1995 Stock uses air suspension, where as the 1996 Stock uses rubber suspension. This is different due to the difference in track conditions between the Northern line and Jubilee line. The 1996 Stock is 7 cars in length, has 234 seats and can accommodate 875 passengers, over 200 more than the 1995 Stock. Despite entering service 20 years ago, there have been various changes to the 1996 Stock over the years. In 2005 it was decided that the Jubilee line should have 7 cars, instead of 6, and the new cars were slightly different to the original cars. The passenger information displays of the newer cars are amber, instead of red, and have a black floor instead of grey. Gradually, these differences were not noticeable as the original cars were refurbished to match the ones introduced in 2005. However, we are now experiencing another period of refurbishment. Starting in 2017, the fleet is gradually being refurbished. The improvements have seen the grab rails painted grey, external door buttons have been plated over and turquoise blue panels have been painted white. The first refurbished train entered service in February 2017. Have you been on a refurbished train on the Jubilee line? 

2009 Stock - Victoria line

A 2009 Stock train at Pimlico
station,
28th May 2017

The 2009 Stock is the latest deep-level tube stock on the network. 47 trains entered service on the Victoria line between 2009 and 2011, and replaced the 1967 Tube Stock. The trains are 8 cars in length, have 288 seats, and can carry 876 passengers. The 2009 Stock have a moquette unique to the Victoria line, and there can be up to 43 trains in service at any one time. The stock were the first trains to be designed since the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations were introduced, so have more facilities for wheelchair access, passengers with impaired mobility and space for pushchairs. Along with the 1973 Stock, the driver can select between two settings for audio announcements. The 2009 Stock is comfortable and spacious for deep-level tube stock, and the lighting is excellent, particularly around the doors. Although the trains have been in service for just 8 years, it will be interesting to see if any refurbishments will take place. 

S7 Stock - Circle line, District line and Hammersmith & City line and S8 Stock - Metropolitan line

Transverse seating on a S8 Stock train
at Rayners Lane,
3rd June 2017

I have decided to group the S7 and S8 Stocks together due to the fact they are incredibly similar. Coming into service between 2010 and 2017, the S Stock (commonly used to group the stocks together) has become a favourite amongst Londoners and is a staple of the sub-surface lines. The S stands for sub-surface, and follows tradition of the Metropolitan lines A Stock (A for Amersham), Circle lines C Stock (C for Circle), and District lines D Stock (D of District). The S Stock is noticeably different to other stock on the network, mainly due to being able to walk the whole length of the train, they have a different moquette, and are more square than the 'tube' trains. The S Stock features air-conditioning and better displays for passengers. The S7 has a capacity of 865, where as the S8 has a larger capacity with 1003. The S Stock carries roughly 30% of the capitals annual user ship on the London Underground network. The S8 Stock features transverse and longitudinal seating, where as the S7 Stock is purely longitudinal seating. The S7 and S8 have become a popular train, and are extremely comfortable and spacious. 

Rolling Stock have provided enthusiasts with entertainment for years. The suitable differences between the lines is part of why the London Underground is so interesting. In the future, the New Train for London will see 250 new trains operating on the Bakerloo, Central, Piccadilly and Waterloo & City lines. Whilst this is providing the capital with much needed infrastructure, the loss of uniqueness each line offers to the network will be felt. The 1972 Stock has become part of the character of the Bakerloo line, and the curved roofing of the 1992 Stock is a feature that helps defines the Central line. The New Train for London is expected to enter service in 2022/23 on the Piccadilly line, increasing capacity by 60%. It would be until the late 2020s before we are expected to see the new Stock appear on the Central and Waterloo & City lines. Finally, by 2033 we may see new trains replace the 1972 Stock, which will likely mean the 1972 Stock served London for an impressive 61 years. 

18/270 - Wimbledon

District line platforms at
Wimbledon station,
13th May 2017

Wimbledon is the terminus of the branch of the district from Earl's Court. With 13.4 million passengers using the London Underground services in 2016, Wimbledon is the second busiest terminating station on the District line.  The District line platforms form part of a large interchange between different forms of transportation at the station. With Wimbledon station being part of the plans for Crossrail 2, the station has an interesting future. 

The first railway station in the area opened in 1838, but it was not until June 1889 that the Metropolitan District Railway extended their line from Putney Bridge to Wimbledon. The current station was built in the 1920s and currently sees over 60 trains or trams leave the station each hour. Up until 1905, the section of the Metropolitan District Railway between Putney Bridge and Wimbledon was served by steam. In August 1905, this section was converted to electric services. 

A Tramlink platform at
Wimbledon
13th May 2017

Currently National Rail, London Underground and Tramlink serve the station. Tramlink services started operating from Wimbledon in May 2000, and has seen an increase in the number of trams per hour calling at Wimbledon in recent years. There is a proposal to extend Tramlink services from Wimbledon to Sutton via Morden, St. Helier and Rose Hill. In addition to the current services at Wimbledon, the station is part of the plans for Crossrail 2, with will see trains go to Tooting Broadway, Clapham Junction, Chelsea and onto central London via Victoria, Tottenham Court Road and Euston. 

Station sign at Wimbledon,
13th May 2017

Wimbledon is similar to other terminating London Underground services which share the station with National Rail services. Because the station is operated by a Network Rail company, there are no roundels on the platforms, which looks incredibly strange. So far on my journey around the network, I have only found this happen at two other stations; Richmond and Upminster, although there is a heritage roundel on the signal box at Upminster. 

Wimbledon is my least favourite station on the branch of the District line between Earl's Court and Wimbledon. However, all the other stations between Earl's Court and Wimbledon are lovely, particularly Putney Bridge, West Brompton, Parsons Green and Wimbledon Park. If you are looking for a day out on the London Underground, I highly recommend this branch of the District line. Wimbledon is in zone 3, which makes a day out exploring these stations and surrounding areas inexpensive compared to other routes or stations to tick of the list. 

Despite not being the most exciting station on the network, the area surrounding Wimbledon station is lovely, and other stations on this branch are well worth a visit. 

For more photos, updates and facts, please follow me on Instagram and Twitter where my name is tubespottingdan.