British Rail Class 503 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 503
A British Rail Class 503 train on the Liverpool Loop and Link underground system. This train was one of the original batch built by the LMS in 1938.
In service	1938-1985
Manufacturer	London, Midland and Scottish Railway, British Railways
Formation	power car + trailer + driving trailer
Operator(s)	LMS and British Railways
Specifications
Car length	58ft 0in
Width	9ft 11in
Height	11ft 10 1/4in
Maximum speed	70mph (110 km/h)
Weight	Total - 77 tons
Power output	4 x 135 hp traction motors total 540 hp (403 kW)
Electric system(s)	650V dc third rail
Track gauge	standard gauge

The British Rail Class 503 trains were special electric trains. They could travel at speeds up to 70 miles per hour (110 km/h). These trains were introduced in two main groups. The first group was built in 1938 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Later, in 1956, British Railways (BR) built more trains that looked very similar. These trains were a big part of public transport in the Merseyside area for many years.

What Were Class 503 Trains?

The Class 503 trains were known as electric multiple units. This means they were made up of several carriages that could run together. Each train usually had three parts: a power car, a trailer, and a driving trailer. The power car had strong electric motors. These motors gave the train its speed and power.

Built for the Merseyrail Network

These trains were specially designed for the railway lines around Liverpool. They were used on the Merseyrail network. This included both above-ground and underground sections. The trains needed to be reliable for daily journeys. They also had to be comfortable for passengers.

Power and Speed

Each Class 503 train had four powerful motors. Each motor provided 135 horsepower. This gave the train a total of 540 horsepower. This power allowed them to reach their top speed of 70 mph. They ran on 650 volts of direct current (DC) electricity. This power was picked up from a "third rail" next to the tracks.

A Look Back: History of the 503s

The Class 503 trains served for a long time. They were in service for nearly 50 years. They helped many people travel around the Liverpool area.

The First Batch: LMS Era

The very first Class 503 trains were built in 1938. This was before British Rail existed. They were made by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). These trains were built to update the local train services. They were part of a big plan to improve travel in the region.

British Railways Takes Over

After World War II, the railways in Britain were nationalized. This means they became owned by the government. The new company was called British Railways (BR). In 1956, BR decided to build more Class 503 trains. These new trains were very similar to the original LMS design. They helped to increase the number of trains available for passengers.

Retirement and Legacy

The Class 503 trains served faithfully until 1985. By then, newer, more modern trains were ready to take their place. When they were retired, many people felt sad to see them go. They had been a familiar sight for generations. Today, some parts of these trains are preserved. You can sometimes see them in museums. They remind us of an important part of railway history.

Images for kids

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  A 1938 unit stands at the platform, next to two later 1956 units in the sidings, at West Kirby, in 1982.

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  A six-car set at Rock Ferry, in 1983.

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  A preserved signboard from the Class 503 farewell tour, at the Wirral Transport Museum, Birkenhead. Although the six BR manufacturer's plates remain on the board, the six LMS plates have been removed.

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  The preserved LMS Wirral and Mersey unit at the Electric Railway Museum, Coventry.