Docklands Light Railway Comes to Stratford

All aboard! Take a peek at the historic moment of the Docklands Light Railway launch, as seen through the eyes of a Newham filmmaker.

It's a bright August day in 1987 and Stratford Broadway is bustling with traffic and shoppers going about their business. But this is no ordinary day - there's a restless, expectant crowd looking on as the Docklands Light Railway arrives at Stratford Station for the first time! The film captures the shiny new train and swanky platforms, finishing with a point of view shot through the front window of the driverless train, a novel experience for many of the passengers.

Produced by a keen East Ham and Newham Council filmmaker, local Councillor and later Leader of the Council, this compilation reel contains various local activities celebrating Newham throughout the year 1987. Presented in Cinemascope and filmed on Super 8mm using an anamorphic lens. This film is from the collection of Newham Local History Resource Centre.