Custom House for ExCeL DLR station facts for kids
Custom House for ExCeL is a busy train station in London, England. It's part of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) network, which is like a special light rail system that runs mostly above ground. Soon, it will also be a stop on the Elizabeth Line, a brand-new railway that connects many parts of London. The station is located in an area called Custom House, near the Royal Docks in the London Borough of Newham. It's in Travelcard Zone 3, which helps people figure out how much their train ticket will cost.
The station gets its name from two things: an old building called the Custom House that used to be nearby, and the huge ExCeL Exhibition Centre which is right next to the station.
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What is Custom House for ExCeL?
Custom House for ExCeL is an important transport hub in East London. It helps thousands of people travel every day. The station is especially busy when there are big events happening at the ExCeL Centre.
The Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a modern, driverless train system. It opened in 1987 and serves the redeveloped Docklands area of London. The DLR trains are smaller than regular underground trains and offer great views as they often run on elevated tracks. Custom House for ExCeL is on the DLR's Beckton branch.
The Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line is one of London's newest and biggest railway projects. It's a high-capacity train line that runs through new tunnels under central London. When the Elizabeth Line opens at Custom House, it will make it much easier and faster for people to travel across London, from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
Why is it important?
This station is very important because it connects people to the ExCeL London exhibition centre. ExCeL hosts many large events, like trade shows, conferences, and even concerts. Having a station right next door makes it easy for visitors from all over the world to get there. It also helps local residents travel around London for work, school, or fun.
History of the Station
The Custom House station has been around for a long time. It first opened way back in 1855. Back then, it was part of a different railway line. It was rebuilt and reopened as a DLR station in 1994. The station has been updated over the years to handle more passengers and to prepare for the arrival of the Elizabeth Line.
The ExCeL Centre Connection
The ExCeL London exhibition centre opened in 2000. It's one of the largest exhibition centres in Europe. Its opening made the Custom House station even more important. The station was designed to handle the large crowds that visit ExCeL for events.
Travelcard Zone 3
London's public transport system uses a zone system for fares. Custom House for ExCeL is in Travelcard Zone 3. This means that if you have a Travelcard or use a contactless payment card, the cost of your journey will be based on which zones you travel through. Zone 1 is the very centre of London, and the zones spread outwards from there.
