Electric Multiple Units
EMU's draw electrical power from overhead catenary or a third rail.
The first EMU in Britain was introduced on the Liverpool Overhead Railway in 1893.
The underground Waterloo and City Railway opened in 1898 with EMU tube stock. In 1900 the Metropolitan Railway and the District Railway ran experimental EMU's and later adopted the system for widespread introduction, replacing both steam and electric locomotive hauled passenger trains.
By 1910 EMU's were operating on lines in many parts of Britain, but several different methods of current collection and voltages were in use.
The Southern Railway, inherited a 6700v AC overhead system from the LB&SCR, and a 630v DC third rail system form the LSWR. From 1923 it pursued an extensive programme of electrification using a third rail 660V DC system, and the former LB&SCR overhead system was subsequently replaced with third rail.
The traffic of the Southern Railway was primarily passengers, and with the rapid development of Electric Multiple Units they soon led the world in terms of route mileage and passenger journeys. The Southern Region holds the world speed record for third rail traction of 108mph by an EMU.
Other third rail systems were the Wirral and Liverpool to Southport lines at 550v DC, the Glasgow underground, at 600v DC. The Manchester to Bury line at 1200v was unique in Britain as it used side contact shoes.
Overhead catenary was initially at 6700 Volts Alternating Current on the LB&SCR in 1909. Other electrified routes to the east of London were energised at 1500v DC, as was the LNER/LMS joint line from Manchester to Altrincham.
The Tyneside suburban electric railway ran at 660v DC, but has since been changed to an overhead Metro system.
London Underground, and the LNWR/LMS north London suburban lines used a four-rail system at a combined 630v DC.
After the formation of British Railways EMU design generally adopted the BR Mk 1 carriage as the basis, later developing the Mk2 for the 1960's EMU's.
EMU's draw electrical power from overhead catenary or a third rail.
The first EMU in Britain was introduced on the Liverpool Overhead Railway in 1893.
The underground Waterloo and City Railway opened in 1898 with EMU tube stock. In 1900 the Metropolitan Railway and the District Railway ran experimental EMU's and later adopted the system for widespread introduction, replacing both steam and electric locomotive hauled passenger trains.
By 1910 EMU's were operating on lines in many parts of Britain, but several different methods of current collection and voltages were in use.
The Southern Railway, inherited a 6700v AC overhead system from the LB&SCR, and a 630v DC third rail system form the LSWR. From 1923 it pursued an extensive programme of electrification using a third rail 660V DC system, and the former LB&SCR overhead system was subsequently replaced with third rail.
The traffic of the Southern Railway was primarily passengers, and with the rapid development of Electric Multiple Units they soon led the world in terms of route mileage and passenger journeys. The Southern Region holds the world speed record for third rail traction of 108mph by an EMU.
Other third rail systems were the Wirral and Liverpool to Southport lines at 550v DC, the Glasgow underground, at 600v DC. The Manchester to Bury line at 1200v was unique in Britain as it used side contact shoes.
Overhead catenary was initially at 6700 Volts Alternating Current on the LB&SCR in 1909. Other electrified routes to the east of London were energised at 1500v DC, as was the LNER/LMS joint line from Manchester to Altrincham.
The Tyneside suburban electric railway ran at 660v DC, but has since been changed to an overhead Metro system.
London Underground, and the LNWR/LMS north London suburban lines used a four-rail system at a combined 630v DC.
After the formation of British Railways EMU design generally adopted the BR Mk 1 carriage as the basis, later developing the Mk2 for the 1960's EMU's.