List of Docklands Light Railway stations Facts for Kids

Map of the Docklands Light Railway network

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a special train system in east and south-east London. It's like a light metro that runs by itself, without a driver! It first opened on August 31, 1987. The DLR helped turn old, unused industrial areas into busy places with homes and businesses.

The DLR has grown a lot over the years. It now goes north to Stratford, south to Lewisham, west to Tower Gateway and Bank in the City of London, and east to Beckton, London City Airport, and Woolwich Arsenal.

You can find DLR stations in the City of London and several London boroughs. Most of the DLR lines are north of the River Thames. Out of 45 stations, four are underground: Woolwich Arsenal, Island Gardens, Bank, and Cutty Sark.

What is the DLR?
DLR Stations and Connections
- Key DLR Stations
Future Plans for DLR
- New Stations Coming Soon
- Stations Planned for the Future
Images for kids
See also

What is the DLR?

The DLR is a modern, automated railway system. This means the trains drive themselves! It's a quick and easy way to travel around the Docklands area. The trains are smaller than regular underground trains. They are designed to fit into the busy, changing landscape of the Docklands.

DLR Stations and Connections

The DLR connects to many other transport lines in London. This makes it easy to travel across the city.

London Underground: You can change to London Underground lines at stations like Bank (Central, Circle, District, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines), Canning Town (Jubilee line), West Ham (Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, and District lines), and Stratford (Central and Jubilee lines).
Other Connections: There are also connections to the Mildmay line at Stratford and Shadwell. You can connect to National Rail trains at Greenwich, Lewisham, Limehouse, Woolwich Arsenal, Stratford, West Ham, and Stratford International.

Each DLR station is in a specific London Travelcard zone. These zones help work out the cost of your journey. Stations also have different opening dates, showing how the DLR has grown over time.

Key DLR Stations

Here are some of the DLR stations and what makes them special:

Bank: This station is in the heart of the City of London. It's a very busy underground station with many connections to the London Underground.
Canary Wharf: This station is in a major business area. It opened later than the first DLR lines because the area was still being built. You can connect to the Jubilee line and Elizabeth line here.
London City Airport: This station opened in 2005, making it easy for people to get to the airport.
Stratford: A very important station, connecting to many other train lines, including National Rail, London Overground, Central, Jubilee, and Elizabeth lines.
Woolwich Arsenal: This station opened in 2009 and is underground. It connects to National Rail and the Elizabeth line.

Future Plans for DLR

The DLR network is always looking to grow! There are plans to add new stations and extend the lines.

New Stations Coming Soon

Thames Wharf: A new station is planned here in Newham. It's being built as part of a larger project that includes the Silvertown Tunnel. After the tunnel is finished in 2025, new homes and the DLR station will be built.
Beckton Riverside: This station is part of a planned extension to Thamesmead.
Thamesmead: This is the final stop for the planned extension. It will connect the DLR to the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Stations Planned for the Future

Some places were set aside for DLR stations when the railway was first built. Some of these have already opened, like Pudding Mill Lane (opened 1996) and Langdon Park (opened 2007).

Other planned stations, like the original Thames Wharf and Connaught, are no longer being considered for construction. This is often because of new building projects or changes in how the DLR lines are laid out.