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
Operator(s)	Liverpool Overhead Railway
Specifications
Electric system(s)	500–630 V DC
Current collection method	Third rail
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The Liverpool Overhead Railway opened on 6 March 1893 with 2-car electric multiple units, the first to operate in the world. Each lightweight car had a 60 horsepower (45 kW) motor that took power from a third rail. In 1902 these were replaced with two 100 horsepower (75 kW) motors, which reduced the travel time. After 1945 some trains were modernised, replacing the timber body with aluminium and plywood and fitting power operated sliding doors under control of the guard. The trains were all removed from service when the railway closed in 1956. An original example was retained by the Museum of Liverpool and an example of a modernised carriage is stored at the Electric Railway Museum, Warwickshire.

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. 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. Power was provided by a third rail between the tracks and air brakes were fitted, the pressure topped up at terminus stations. In the early days, a single motor coach would run off-peak. 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.

A further 4 two-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 15 two-car trains and 8 three-car trains to be formed. 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. At the same time, ten motor cars were widened to 9 feet 4 inches (2.84 m) to increase accommodation.