Uploaded July 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In 1903 the North Eastern Railway built two pioneering self-powered railcars which eschewed coal / steam power and instead used internal combustion petrol engines that powered a dynamo which generated electricity to power an electric drive system.
When they were withdrawn from service one of them was sold to people who converted it into a holiday home. The conversion included adding a metal roof and veranda. This helped the bodywork survive to the present day and it has now been restored to a condition where it can, once again, carry fare paying passengers.
The chassis is not original, instead it came from other rail vehicles. Also, the restoration included fitting a diesel-electric traction package - which in reality could be seen as completing an upgrade that the LNER was contemplating before deciding to withdraw them from passenger service instead.
Although years ahead of their time these railcars could be seen as forerunners of the diesel-electric multiple unit trains which exist 'today'.
Filmed in May 2019 at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
Music: Fig Leaf Rag by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC-BY-3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
In 1903 the North Eastern Railway built two pioneering self-powered railcars which eschewed coal / steam power and instead used internal combustion petrol engines that powered a dynamo which generated electricity to power an electric drive system.
When they were withdrawn from service one of them was sold to people who converted it into a holiday home. The conversion included adding a metal roof and veranda. This helped the bodywork survive to the present day and it has now been restored to a condition where it can, once again, carry fare paying passengers.
The chassis is not original, instead it came from other rail vehicles. Also, the restoration included fitting a diesel-electric traction package - which in reality could be seen as completing an upgrade that the LNER was contemplating before deciding to withdraw them from passenger service instead.
Although years ahead of their time these railcars could be seen as forerunners of the diesel-electric multiple unit trains which exist 'today'.
Filmed in May 2019 at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk
Music: Fig Leaf Rag by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC-BY-3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
