Over a hundred years ago the LYR electrified some of its suburban lines in Liverpool
and (later) Manchester to serve the growing housing developments and to counter
increasing tramway competition. The aim was to provide better and faster services
than the existing steam trains.
This was so successful that by 1921 one sixth of all passenger traffic on the LYR
used electric trains, and interestingly, the greater part of these suburban systems
still operate today as electric railways or tramways.
1904 Liverpool - Southport
It took 12 months to electrify the 23 miles of double track from Liverpool to
Southport and Crossens, an area to the north of Southport. A powerhouse was
built at Formby and was supplemented along the line by three sub-stations and four
battery stations. Power at 600 volts dc was supplied to the trains via a live third rail.
The original cars were 60’ long and 10’ wide. Motor trucks were fitted with two
150 hp motors, giving 600 hp per motor car. Braking was by vacuum (to keep them
compatible with steam stock) with special reservoirs to give rapid braking release.
Extensions of the initial system to places such as Aintree meant more new stock
was needed. New trailer thirds which were 63’ long by 10’ wide and seated 103
passengers. All the stock on the Liverpool - Southport lines was wooden bodied on
steel underframes.
A connection to the Liverpool Overhead Railway was opened in1905/6 using specially
built lightweight cars. In 1912 stores and workshops were built at Meols Cop, and by
1913 electric trains were running to Ormskirk.
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One of the L&Y’s lightweight electric sets used on services over the
Liverpool Overhead Railway |
