LYR electric units
The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) electrified urban railway lines in Liverpool and Manchester in order to improve the service offered against the competition being put up by new electric trams.
Liverpool[change | change source]
Liverpool to Southport[change | change source]
The line between Liverpool and Southport began using electric multiple units (EMUs) on 22 March 1904. Power was supplied from a third rail at 625 Volts direct current.
Liverpool Overhead Railway[change | change source]
Connections were built with the Liverpool Overhead Railway (LOR) at Seaforth & Litherland railway station to a new station beside LOR's Seaforth Sands station. Also from the North Mersey Branch route to Aintree. From 2 July 1905 LOR trains began to run through to Seaforth and Litherland. In 1906 the L&YR electrified the line to Aintree.
Liverpool to Ormskirk[change | change source]
Electrification to Ormskirk was completed in 1913.
Manchester[change | change source]
Bury to Holcombe Brook[change | change source]
From 1913 an experimental electric service operated between Bury and Holcombe Brook. The equipment was provided by Dick, Kerr & Co. of Preston, which was developing its products for export. The system used was 3,500 Volts DC from overhead lines. In 1918 the line was converted to the 1,200 V DC system chosen for the Manchester to Bury line.
Manchester to Bury[change | change source]
After the Holcombe Brook service, the L&YR decided to electrify the Manchester to Bury line. The system used was 1,200 V DC from a side-contact third rail. The purpose of this unusual arrangement was to prevent the service being affected by ice forming on the live rail. Sixty-six cars were built at Newton Heath works. The electrical equipment was supplied by Dick, Kerr & Co. The first public services ran on 17 April 1916,