Docklands Light Railway Dvd

Description

The Story of London’s Docklands New Light Railway.

This is the definitive account of this bright, new railway in the heart of London’s Docklands.

Dockland Light Rail was first constructed in 1985/86 as an automatic driver-less railway system crossing over the east part of London.

Containing footage of the test runs made prior to the opening in 1987.

Other features are the excavation works for the underground extension of line to Bank.

Plus a look in the control room.

Also a visit to Germany where old units of the system have been sent to work.

Filmed over many years, it starts in 1935 when ships of all Nations were present.

They ceased to call in the early 1980s.

This programme shows the main changes since then.

The derelict warehouses are cleared away and the London Docklands Development Corporation plan new business and residential opportunities.

Jim Conner’s film of railways in the area in 1962 reveals old track beds and station sites that could be taken over by the new Docklands railway that would be necessary.

Featured on this DVD as filmed by Alan Pearce.

The first units arrive and are tested on the newly ballasted tracks.

Platform clearances are checked at night using ‘Sooty’ a diesel shunter, hauling one unit.

Manual then automatic driving runs are made prior to a staff and families open day just before the Royal opening, in 1987.

The City extension underground to Bank, sees tunnelling going on and the subsequent opening, using one platform and track first.

The massive Canary Wharf development threatened to overwhelm the railway.

Trains and platforms were doubled up, some stations were completely rebuilt many times their original sizes.

Many more trains are built.

We see them being tested at York and in Belgium.

Another extension eastwards to Becton is seen being built and then opened in March 1994.

We see the original station at Canning Town, since then removed because of the extension of the Jubilee underground railway tracks now being constructed.

Simon Smiler’s film shows older D.L.R. units now running in Essen, Germany, still in original livery.

This programme continues with many, many more sequences.

Approx. 56 minutes.

This new dvd is being sold with full permission of Heritage in Motion.