Docklands Light Railway appreciation society

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i rarely get to take it living as i do far out North West but yesterday i went from Lewisham to Limehouse, right thru Canary Wharf etc. and its just really cool. remember when the DLE first launched and was besieged by problems, always breaking down etc.? apparently it outperforms the Tube completely in terms of reliability but then it is a different, more up to date system and not as complicated. i love how at certain points it feels more like a rollercoaster - esp. when you go under the river at Cutty Sark and when you can see the junctions for the other routes. on a sunny day its just a joy to ride esp. as you can just look straight ahead as well as out of the side windows.

any DLE anecdotes from any of you? not completely restricted to Londoners. anyone doing the tourist thing in London should jump on the DLE at Tower Gateway and head down to Greenwich i think. have you done this if you're not living here?

also they're extending the line to City Airport, although this is not as interesting

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 17:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Hell I apprecite it, I appreciated it so much I held my 9th or 10th birthday party on it.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 17:57 (twenty-two years ago)

heh, I used DLR to go to uni for the last two years of my degree and it saved me a nice bunch of money. all of it went on records. yay!

And also, on the day when I was travelling for an exam, one David tibet (he from folk industrial band current 93) was in the same carriage as me. I couldn't read my notes. I sat and stared at him on/off. that cheered me up.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I love it too, for the rollercoaster thing and the way it actually goes _through_ buildings. Wow.

― mei (mei), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I went on this once. It was sweet!

― Mandee, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

It has no drivers and you can it at the front.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

yes but if you sit at the front you have to pretend that you're driving

― j0e (j0e), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

And that's the best bit.

― Tag (Tag), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

there's no ticket gates. classic!

― matthew james (matthew james), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 21:18 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.norfolkwindmills.com/images/beckton.jpg

― gareth (gareth), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 21:25 (twenty-two years ago)

we want to see the traaaains gareth

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 22:48 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't like it, but i can't put my finger on why. there's honestly no good reason to hate it.

― sand.y, Tuesday, 15 April 2003 23:00 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe its cos it takes you right thru the Canary Wharf office blocks that symbolise gross corporate machinations, and the London Arena which symbolises awful concerts by awful bands, and ice hockey which is wholly unenglish? and the north of the river parts are really grim too (Shadwell etc.)

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 15 April 2003 23:10 (twenty-two years ago)

the grimmer the better

― DG (D_To_The_G), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 12:10 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.lightrail.co.uk/dlr/99-07-14_DLR_Bank.JPG

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 12:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Shame the DLR doesn't go ANYWHERE good though, isn't it?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 12:23 (twenty-two years ago)

It goes to my mum's.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 12:25 (twenty-two years ago)

it goes to Cutty Sark which is pretty

― stevem (blueski), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

has anyone ever encountered the over-enthusiastic train attendent (actually i think they are called train captains but i might have dreamt that) on the DLR who feels obliged to entertain his captive audience with randomness? - example> "next stop is crossharbour for the london arena where tonight you can enjoy the chart-topping act boyzone ..."

he is an oasis of pleasantness in the corparate whoredom of the docklands

― David X, Wednesday, 16 April 2003 15:31 (twenty-two years ago)

They are indeed train captains.

― Ed (dali), Wednesday, 16 April 2003 15:36 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

used it again a few weeks ago - Stratford to Cutty Sark - beautiful journey, listening to an mp3 selection of electro-charged beats. another 'rollercoaster-esque' moment as the train turns off the main line to Liverpool Street and approaches Bow Church. there was a lovely woman ticket officer on board who was nice n' chirpy. a bunch of college students going to a business seminar at Canary Wharf got on at Poplar and chatted breezily. i was quite sad to get off when i did.

― stevem (blueski), Friday, 13 June 2003 23:07 (twenty-two years ago)

five months pass...

Revive! Just to make up the geeky public transport hattrick.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Wait for my slam door thread. New extension to city airport.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I was going to use it on Sunday, to get from HSA's mum's house in Blackheath to the pub in Mile End. But then HSA's mum was nice enough to drive us instead so I didn't get to go on it. :-(

― Citizen Kate (kate), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I may have to get the DLR to uni later so I can pass through some choice east London locales and pat myself on the back for not living in them, eg Shadwell *shudders*

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:13 (twenty-one years ago)

i love that the DLR seems to go on building extensions with such ease. When reopening disused railways is so hard.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

i love that the DLR seems to go on building extensions with such ease. When reopening disused railways is so hard.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:19 (twenty-one years ago)

When reopening disused railways is so hard.

I wish this lot would get their act together

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I love the DLR for all the reasons posted upthread but especially the sitting-at-the-front as you go in and out of tunnels. Last time I caught it was at Shadwell after visiting St. George's in the East. We took it as far as Island Gardens so we could appreciate Greenwich from t'other side of t'river.

― robster (robster), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:22 (twenty-one years ago)

EOR fighting with the ORPS, when trainspotters go bad.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:23 (twenty-one years ago)

My dad gets the DLR to work and says it gets so packed, he can't always get off at his stop. It annoys him when we giggle about this.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:27 (twenty-one years ago)

He needs a sharper tip on his umbrella.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:28 (twenty-one years ago)

I wuv the DLR - in particular the Deptford Bridge Station which takes me from my house to Greenwich/Canary Wharf. Coming home from Stratford the other night and realising I could take the DLR all the way home was like discovering a wormhole in the fabric of spacetime.

Not particularly related, but: 3-D tube maps!!

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:29 (twenty-one years ago)

oh.... my....... god

they're beautiful

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

your Dad is not assertive enough with the point of his umbrella.

x-post. MarkH/Ed megabrane ect ect.

when the Queen opened the DLR in the eighties there was a fault when the doors didn't open and the whole royal party was trapped inside.

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Those maps are top! I love how the Thames is like a big steel girder slammed through the City's heart! And how they make London like a huge unwinnable game of Ker-Plunk.

― Tim (Tim), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Those are really cool! But wow, I didn't think about what steep gradients tubs had to climb! (Or are they not to scale?)

― Citizen Kate (kate), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:34 (twenty-one years ago)

i'd love it if that 3d map was animated with tubes whizzing thru the tunnels

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Whenever I'm trapped in the middle of a train and it's nearing my stop, I do a big blow off. Never fails.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow. I particularly like the one where the central line is all foreshortened and in your face.

― Archel (Archel), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:39 (twenty-one years ago)

those 3D maps are tremendous, but they made me wish that one of the lines suddenly plunged vertically downwards to the centre of the earth

― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, South London is still very poorly served by the network.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:42 (twenty-one years ago)

The firey core of the earth will get a tube station before Hackney does.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:43 (twenty-one years ago)

central line extention?

― chris (chris), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:44 (twenty-one years ago)

the east end of the district line runs straight to hell already

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Enjoy a bit of Upminster-baiting, do you?

― MarkH (MarkH), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:49 (twenty-one years ago)

I wish tube interchange stations really did have the uniformity suggested by Clarke/Beck's designs - immaculately finished elevated steel cylinders inside anthracite ingots. When they shut for the night, they just go solid.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

well I was thinking more of the living Hieronymous Bosch painting that is Dagenham really, and all the outer circles like Plaistow etc

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I like how shiny they are, so that the reflections off the Hammersmith & City line make it look a strange bluish purple as it goes through the City!

― Citizen Kate (kate), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:52 (twenty-one years ago)

thanks to the Hammersmith & City line onboard announcement system i finally know how to pronounce Plaistow

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:57 (twenty-one years ago)

no you don't, they're wrong

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:57 (twenty-one years ago)

exactly :)

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 11:59 (twenty-one years ago)

by way of apology I think they should re-record the announcement using some horrendous local skinhead to belch PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRSTOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW into the ears of the travelling public

― DG (D_To_The_G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I've always thought Tottenham Hale should be pronounced as Ossie Ardiles spoke it.

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:05 (twenty-one years ago)

i'd like to meet the woman who supplies the voice for the system. in real life she may have a real cockney squawk - more likely she will be all "this dress..goes with...my shoes" and "acquaintances are reminded there is no smoking in my presence"

― stevem (blueski), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:06 (twenty-one years ago)

I like the way her voice wavers up and down with such authority as she announces Saint (up) John's (up) Wood (down).

― Citizen Kate (kate), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Whenever I go through Blackhorse Road, I have Black Hole Sun by Soundagarden in my head.

Or in a tweed and folky mood, Black Eyed Dog by Nick Drake

― Mikey G (Mikey G), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't like the Circle Line woman; she has a slight cold and I get the impression she's almost about to burst into tears.

On a slight tangent, the bloke who does the announcements at Manchester Piccadily is the same as the bloke at Blackheath, which always bakes my noodle when I get off the train in Manchester.

― Dave B (daveb), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:14 (twenty-one years ago)

The DLR makes 'Shad Thames' by St Etienne start playing in my head.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:15 (twenty-one years ago)

I love the way the Central line woman says "Charn-serry Lane". It sounds like it should be the title of a parlour game played by the mysteriously delicate children of upper-middle class Edwardian parents. "Oh, PLEASE, let's play Charnserry Lane, Daddy! If only I could...sit up...in bed..."

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Not forgetting the Northern Line announcer that says "High-gt" (a la Harrogate) for what is generally pronounced as as "High Gate" (a la Watergate). Knocks me out every time.

― darren (darren), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:51 (twenty-one years ago)

N., are you related to a V K Dast00r whose email I had to respond to today?

― Markelby (Mark C), Tuesday, 18 November 2003 16:41 (twenty-one years ago)

eleven months pass...

Tower Gateway to Stratford greatness. and i have now been to Beckton and passed through every DLR station. recently walked under the under construction extension too, it should offer a nice view of the TFB when done.

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:04 (twenty years ago)

I will probably appreciate it more if we end up moving to woolwich Arsenal c. 2008 (providing it gets built and I'm still working here) :0(

― Vicky (Vicky), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:12 (twenty years ago)

The number of extensions planned is bonkers. They are surely going to have to split it into separate lines soon, or the diagram is going to end up v. misleading.

― RickyT (RickyT), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:15 (twenty years ago)

when are they going to have done with it and introduce an extension that dips into the river at high speed then up again?

― Freelance Hiveminder (blueski), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:25 (twenty years ago)

Or one that goes upside down?

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:29 (twenty years ago)

I love the DLR. At Poplar this morning I was greeted by a massive Kelis advert, and at Shadwell by a similar Jamelia one. It's much quieter than the Tube as well.

Seeing people get done for attempted ticket-dodging is one of the many forms of entertainment it provides...

Where is the extension going to extend to?

― The Lex (The Lex), Monday, 1 November 2004 13:59 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

when are they to rename crossharbour & london arena station? is the arena still open? it comes down next year though, doesn't it

why was it such a failure? its because its docklands i know. docklands is so quiet. i cant imagine it was intended that way, or was it?

― charltonlido (gareth), Sunday, 18 December 2005 17:22 (nineteen years ago)

I think its already just plain crossharbour.

― Ed (dali), Sunday, 18 December 2005 17:44 (nineteen years ago)

i wondered that, but on the tfl site, the map still says '& london arena'

― charltonlido (gareth), Sunday, 18 December 2005 17:50 (nineteen years ago)

two months pass...

ah they stricter, with non-payers, on the dlr?

― terry lennox. (gareth), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:50 (nineteen years ago)

i almost forgot to mention. i am going out tonite, in mudchute

― terry lennox. (gareth), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:51 (nineteen years ago)

to what?

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:57 (nineteen years ago)

grimy.

i saw on the latest map they're doing an extension to Woolwich and got very excited even though i have no desire to go to Woolwich again.

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:58 (nineteen years ago)

It's horrible! I hate it! It's like some kind of toy train! A tram or something! (And the stations are so bloody cold.)

― Fish is Biodegradable! (That Means It Rots) (kate), Thursday, 9 March 2006 15:58 (nineteen years ago)

i dont think i'll be going on the dlr. i might go on the bus

i am going to this

www.thespace.demon.co.uk

― terry lennox. (gareth), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:26 (nineteen years ago)

and, more specifically, this...

Thu 9th – Sat 11th Mar: Theatre

Crazy by Rosa Wyatt and Laura McPartlin

Two people find themselves waiting in a room.

They tell the stories of Eliza and Henry.

Something needs fixing…

This surreal and engaging new play, developed with MIND and the NHS, comments on the taboo subject of mental health. The stage is striped bare; storytelling, clowning and physicality tell the tale.

― terry lennox, (gareth), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:27 (nineteen years ago)

clowning!

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:30 (nineteen years ago)

damn, I could really do with a pint this evening.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:31 (nineteen years ago)

you are welcome to come ed! they'd be pleased for more people im sure!

― terry lennox. (gareth), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:33 (nineteen years ago)

Because DLRs have those attendant people (are they called "Captains"? I think and hope so) you get your ticket checked quite often.

Last-time-but-one that I had to buy a DLR ticket, I made the mistake of buying it at the kiosk at Bank. Three quid. Cost of the same ticket (indeed any single DLR ticket) if bought from a DLR machine at a DLR station: £1.50.

― Tim (Tim), Thursday, 9 March 2006 16:38 (nineteen years ago)

i had to go on this recently (to shadwell). i don't like it much.

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 9 March 2006 17:14 (nineteen years ago)

The first few times you use it it's otherworldly, esp compared to the tube, then once you get used to using it, it becomes annoying. Travels at the speed of shite most of the time, and has an annoying 'ting!' sound that rings once it starts up during the innumerable stops between signal points.

― darren (darren), Friday, 10 March 2006 11:15 (nineteen years ago)

damn backlash

― Konal Doddz (blueski), Friday, 10 March 2006 11:18 (nineteen years ago)

there was a very pretty girl on the dlr last night.

i did an emo sigh

― terry lennox. (gareth), Friday, 10 March 2006 11:44 (nineteen years ago)

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