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The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a light rail public transport system for the redeveloped Docklands area of eastern London. It is administered by Transport for London; it is not part of the London Underground, but it does appear on the Tube map. The system was conceived in the late 1980s by the London Docklands Development Corporation to aid the regeneration of the docks of East London, which had been derelict since the 1960s. Most of the tracks are elevated; some of them were built on disused freight lines. The system was opened in 1987 on July 31.

The type of train used is a multiple unit that is driven fully automatically: there is no driver. However, there is a Passenger Service Agent (previously known as a Train Captain) on all trains who acts as a guard, controlling the doors, making announcements and checking tickets. In certain circumstances, such as in severe winds, they control train speed.

The fares are comparable to those for the Tube, although return fares on the Docklands Light Railway are priced at twice the single fare. There are no limited-stopLimited-stop bus, tram or train services omit calls at certain stops in order to offer a faster trip between the places served. The term is normally used on routes with a mixture of fast and slow services. Additionally there may be a "semi-fast" service w trains on the DLR, so each train serves every stop along its route.

1 Map

Geographically accurate map of the Docklands Light Railway ()

2 Branches

Four branches currently exist: to LewishamLewisham station is a railway and Docklands Light Railway station in Lewisham in south east London. The station opened in 1857 serving the North Kent and Mid Kent lines. In 1999 the Docklands Light Railway was extended from Island Gardens to Lewisham. in the south, StratfordStratford station is a London Underground and mainline station at Stratford. It is the eastern terminus of the Jubilee Line, the previous station is West Ham. It is also on the Central Line between Leyton and Mile End and a terminus on the Docklands Light in the north, BecktonBeckton Station is the eastern terminus of one branch of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The next stop is Gallions Reach DLR station. The DLR branch from Poplar was opened in 1996. When the London Docks were active they were served by a railway system. in the east and another leading into Central London (splitting to serve two nearby termini, BankBank and Monument are interlinked zone 1 London Underground stations, spanning the length of King William Street in the City of London. The stations are officially one station with separate entrances and names, the complex is officially known as the Bank- and Tower GatewayTower Gateway is a Docklands Light Railway station near the Tower of London on Tower Hill. It is the terminus of its spur, the next station along is Shadwell. It is easily accessed from Tower Hill tube station and Fenchurch Street railway station by overg).

The western branch was initially planned to terminate only at Tower Gateway, as it was much cheaper to run the line only until there rather than joining it up with the London Underground network. However, the overground connection between Tower Hill tube station and Tower Gateway DLR proved unpopular and a tunnelled extension to Bank station was constructed to provide a direct link with the Tube.

The northern and southern branches terminate at the National Rail (mainline) stations at Stratford and Lewisham respectively. Other direct interchanges between National Rail and the DLR are at Limehouse, Canning Town and Greenwich.