Liverpool Overhead Railway electric units
Liverpool Overhead Railway electric units | |
---|---|
![]() Liverpool Overhead Railway electric train on display at the Museum of Liverpool. | |
In service | 1893–1956 |
Manufacturer | Brown, Marshall & Co. Metro-Cammell |
Constructed | 1892–1896 1916–1918 |
Scrapped | 1956 |
Number preserved | 2 cars |
Formation | 1–3 cars |
Operators | Liverpool Overhead Railway |
Specifications | |
Electric system(s) | 500–630 V DC[a] |
Current collector(s) | Third rail |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/The_Street_railway_journal_%281902%29_%2814574158560%29.jpg/220px-The_Street_railway_journal_%281902%29_%2814574158560%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Hugh_llewelyn_L.O.R._7_%286250559021%29.jpg/220px-Hugh_llewelyn_L.O.R._7_%286250559021%29.jpg)
The
Service
The Liverpool Overhead Railway was an elevated railway operating in and around the dockside of Liverpool that opened on 6 March 1893 with the first electric multiple units operating in the world.[1] The railway opened with 15 two-car trains, built by Brown, Marshall & Co, each lightweight car with a 60 horsepower (45 kW) motor and 45 feet (14 m) long, 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) wide with seating for 41 in second class and 16 in first.[2] Power was provided by a third rail between the tracks[a] and air brakes were fitted, the pressure topped up at terminus stations.[3] In the early days, a single motor coach would run off-peak.[4] Leather high-backed seating was provided in the first class compartment, while third class consisted of wooden seating in bays of six, with hanging straps for standees during peak times.[5]
A further four 2-car trains were built in 1894; these were only 40 feet (12 m) long, followed by enough motor cars and trailers were built in 1896 to allow fifteen 2-car trains and eight 3-car trains to be formed.[2][4] These newer motor cars were fitted with 70 horsepower (52 kW) motors. To meet competition from the electric tramways that offered a faster service, in 1902 the motor cars were fitted with two Dick, Kerr & Co. 100 horsepower (75 kW) motors, which reduced the travel time from end to end from 32 minutes to 20 minutes.[2][6] At the same time, ten motor cars were widened to 9 feet 4 inches (2.84 m) to increase accommodation.[7]
Originally, first and second class accommodation was provided, but after the L&YR began running over the railway in 1905 this became first and third.[8] The conductor rail was moved from the central position to outside the running rails at the same time. The two-car trains were lengthened to three-car with additional trailers built in 1916–18.[2] The cars were now arranged with transverse seating, the unpowered central coach was fitted with leather-covered seats for first class passengers; third class passengers had wooden seating.[9] The motors were replaced in 1919 by 75 horsepower (56 kW) motors, and the travel time increased to 31 minutes.[9][2]
In 1945–47, a three car train was modernised, replacing the timber body with aluminium and plywood and fitting power operated sliding doors under control of the guard.
Notes and references
Notes
- ^ a b Marsden 2008, p. 68 states the voltage as 600 V DC, whereas Gahan 1982, p. 34 says the LOR was 500V so when LOR units later ran on the L&YR 630V system their motors had to be in series mode.
References
- ^ "Liverpool Overhead Railway". Our Transport Heritage. The Transport Trust. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Marsden 2008, p. 68.
- ^ "Accident at Dingle 20 December 1898" (PDF). Railways Archive. Board of Trade. 26 January 1899. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ a b Gahan 1982, p. 30.
- ISBN 9780711031906.
- ^ "The Street Railway Journal". McGraw Publishing Company. 19 July 1902. p. 108. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ Marsden 2008, pp. 68, 71.
- ^ Gahan 1982, p. 29.
- ^ a b Gahan 1982, pp. 29–30.
- ^ Gahan 1982, p. 31.
- ^ Gahan 1982, p. 32.
- ^ "Liverpool Overhead Railway motor coach number 3, 1892". Museum of Liverpool. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
Bibliography
- Gahan, John W. (1982). Seventeen Stations to Dingle. Countrywise. ISBN 0907768202.
- Marsden, Colin J. (2008). The DC Electrics. Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-86093-615-2.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)