LYR electric units facts for kids
The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) decided to make some of their city train lines electric. They did this in Liverpool and Manchester. Their goal was to offer better service and compete with the new electric trams that were becoming popular.
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Electric Trains in Liverpool
From Liverpool to Southport
The train line between Liverpool and Southport started using electric trains on March 22, 1904. These electric trains are called Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). They got their power from a special "third rail" that carried 625 volts of direct current (DC) electricity.
Connecting with the Overhead Railway
The L&YR also built connections with the Liverpool Overhead Railway (LOR). A new station was built next to the LOR's Seaforth Sands station, connecting at Seaforth & Litherland. Also, a connection was made from the North Mersey Branch route to Aintree. From July 2, 1905, LOR trains began running through to Seaforth and Litherland. In 1906, the L&YR made the line to Aintree electric too.
To Ormskirk
The train line going to Ormskirk was made electric in 1913.
Electric Trains in Manchester
Bury to Holcombe Brook Experiment
Starting in 1913, an experimental electric train service ran between Bury and Holcombe Brook. The company Dick, Kerr & Co. from Preston provided the equipment. They were developing their products for selling to other countries.
This system used 3,500 volts of direct current (DC) electricity from overhead lines. In 1918, this line was changed to use the 1,200-volt DC system. This was the same system chosen for the main Manchester to Bury line.
Manchester to Bury Line
After the experiment on the Holcombe Brook line, the L&YR decided to make the Manchester to Bury line electric. This system used 1,200 volts of DC electricity. It came from a special "side-contact third rail." This unusual setup was chosen to stop ice from affecting the power supply.
Sixty-six train cars were built for this line at the Newton Heath works. Dick, Kerr & Co. also supplied the electrical parts for these trains. The first public electric train services on this line began on April 17, 1916.
