It's all gone a bit Pete Tong...

[jimini]

Oh dear. The once reliable DLR seems to be descending into a spiral of problems, disruptions and horror stories. Bearing in mind I've taken a bit of annual leave recently so haven't been in the area as much, these are the problems / incidents I've been aware of:

- Two weeks ago: Severe delays between Crossharbour <> Lewisham. Manual driving between Cutty Sark and Deptford Bridge.

- One week ago: Severe congestion into Bank due to signal failure at Westferry. >25 minute journey between Westferry and Bank.

- One week ago: No service West India Quay <> Westferry in the evening peak.

- Monday evening: Severe delays on the Bank <> Lewisham route. Some manual driving. Journeys of >45 minutes reported between Canary Wharf <> Lewisham.

- Last night: Suspended Westferry <> Bank because of signalling problems throughout the rush hour. >20 minute gaps between Stratford <> Lewisham services at Canary Wharf.

- This morning: Departures to Lewisham from Canary Wharf at about 11:00 were 1, 20 and 29 minutes.

- Tonight: Severe delays due to signal failure at Canning Town.

So, is this solely down to the signalling upgrade works? Teething problems as they introduce the new stock onto the system? Or possibly just an unfortunate run of luck? Until recently, I've always considered the DLR to be one of the most reliable forms of transport, with minimal problems for the most part.

Your thoughts?

[madonion]

I think it must be the signalling upgrades. the dlr is usually good but yeah monday was a complete disaster luckly I wasn't using it tuesday. but today I got to greenwich and while I was waiting for a train towards dartford I saw that the next train towards lewisham was just sitting in the platform. the next train towrads bank was fine but the one after that just passed through the station without stopping! I didn't even realise dlr trains could do that.

[cetacean]

Signalling upgrades?

[Deleted]

Its because the DLR signalling system now runs off Windows and it seems the two dont work together well at all!

[Deleted]

Nov 26, 2008 19:16:25 GMT @mackenzieblu said:

Its because the DLR signalling system now runs off Windows and it seems the two dont work together well at all!

;D ;D

Anything with Windows OS on it should come with a disclaimer...

[Deleted]

On the subject of Windows, slightly of topic I know but desiros use Windows 3.1NT!!!!!

[21146]

It's definately getting worse. Trains stalling between stations or on the approach (sort of 'code tripped' maybe). I was stuck on one which stopped short for around 10 minutes at Devons Road NB a few weeks ago. No apology or anything from the PSA. Two 'hoodies' got fed up and forced a set of doors open to exit and frankly I felt like joining them. The Beckton branch being worked as a shuttle for months. Various odd service intervals at times that don't provide a regular service. At Bow Road last week the info flatscreen at street level showed a SB train in 2 minutes, as I got onto the platform this was already leaving, and the platform describer indicated an 8 minute wait for the next one. Nor do they wait to allow cross-platform interchange, with evening Stratford trains starting from Canary Wharf, passengers from south of there must take a Bank train and change. Yet as a Bank train arrived, the PSA on the Stratford train closed his doors, meaning any intending passengers faced the full 10 minute wait on a freezing, wind tunnel, of a station. "DLR - The Integrated Railway" if only...

[astock5000]

Nov 26, 2008 16:24:29 GMT jimini said:

So, is this solely down to the signalling upgrade works? Teething problems as they introduce the new stock onto the system? Or possibly just an unfortunate run of luck?

I don't think this has anything to do with the new trains. It is probably because of the signalling upgrade, and the work at Delta Junction and Canning Town, where they are changing the track layout.