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 |
| Current collector(s) | 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 was stored at the Electric Railway Museum, Warwickshire, now closed.