LNER electric units facts for kids
In 1937, a big railway company called the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) decided to order some special new electric trains. These trains were designed to carry people and goods along the Tyneside Electric lines in England. These lines connected the city of Newcastle upon Tyne to coastal towns like North Shields and South Shields. The LNER also ordered smaller electric vehicles just for carrying parcels and luggage.
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What is an Electric Train?
Electric trains, often called Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), are special because they don't need a separate engine car pulling them. Instead, each part of the train can have its own electric motors. This means the train can speed up and slow down quickly, which is great for busy routes with lots of stops.
EMUs are powered by electricity, usually from overhead wires or a special 'third rail' on the ground. This makes them quieter and cleaner than old steam trains.
Articulated Trains: What's That?
The trains ordered by LNER were 'articulated'. This is a fancy word for how the train cars are connected. Imagine two train cars sharing a single set of wheels in the middle, instead of each car having its own wheels at both ends. This design makes the train lighter and allows it to go around curves more smoothly. It also means the train feels more like one long unit inside.
The Tyneside Electric Lines
The Tyneside Electric lines were a network of railway tracks in the north-east of England. They were very important for connecting the busy city of Newcastle upon Tyne with the coastal areas. People used these lines to travel for work, school, and even for fun trips to the beach towns like North Shields and South Shields.
These lines were among the first in Britain to use electricity to power their trains. This made travel faster and more reliable for everyone living in the area.
Beyond Passengers: Carrying Goods
While many of the new electric trains were for passengers, the LNER also ordered some special electric vehicles just for carrying goods. These were called 'motor parcel vans' and 'motor luggage vans'.
These vans were like smaller, electric versions of the passenger trains, but designed to carry packages, mail, and people's luggage. This helped move goods around the region efficiently, showing how versatile electric trains could be.
