Metro Cammell facts for kids
The Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company (MCCW), often called Metro Cammell, was a famous company that built trains. They made many different types of railway vehicles. These included railway carriages (passenger cars) and wagons (freight cars).
Metro Cammell was based in Birmingham, England. Their factories were first in Saltley and later in Washwood Heath. They were very well known for building many of the trains used on the London Underground. They also made some of the first diesel trains in the UK. The company was sold to a French company called Alstom in 1989.
Contents
What Was Metro Cammell?
Metro Cammell was one of the most important train builders in the United Kingdom. They had a long history of making railway equipment. The company was formed from several older companies joining together. This helped them become a very large and successful manufacturer.
Building Trains for London
One of Metro Cammell's biggest achievements was building trains for the London Underground. They made many different models of tube trains. These trains helped millions of people travel around London every day. Their trains were known for being strong and reliable.
- The London Underground 1973 Stock is an example of a train they built. These trains are still used on the Piccadilly line.
- They also built the London Underground 1995 Stock. These trains run on the Northern line.
Diesel Trains and More
Metro Cammell didn't just build underground trains. They also made many diesel multiple units (DMUs). These are trains that have their own engines and can carry passengers.
- The British Rail Class 101 was a very common DMU built by Metro Cammell.
- They also built the British Rail Class 156 "Super Sprinter" trains. These are still used on regional lines today.
The company also built trains for other countries. For example, they made trains for the East Rail Line in Hong Kong. This shows how important they were around the world.
Other Interesting Projects
Metro Cammell was involved in some unique projects too. During World War I, they even built some Mark IV "Female" tanks. One of these tanks was named Flirt II. This shows their ability to build different kinds of heavy machinery.
They also built the Birmingham International Maglev. This was a special shuttle train that used magnets to float above the track. It ran at Birmingham Airport from 1984 to 1995. It was one of the first commercial maglev systems in the world.
The End of Metro Cammell
Metro Cammell was a very successful company for many years. However, in 1989, it was bought by Alstom. Alstom is a large French company that also builds trains. This marked the end of Metro Cammell as an independent company. Even though the name is gone, many of the trains they built are still running today. They are a lasting part of railway history.
Images for kids
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A door step plate from a unit of London Underground 1973 Stock, built by Metro-Cammell
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Second class coach of 1854, built by Joseph Wright and Sons, now in Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
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Flirt II, a WWI Mark IV "Female" tank, built by Metropolitan
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British Rail Class 156 "Super Sprinter" diesel multiple unit
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London Underground 1973 Stock
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London Underground 1995 Stock
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Glasgow Subway metro train
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MTR East Rail Metro Cammell EMU (as refurbished 1996–1999)
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The Birmingham International maglev shuttle 1984–1995
