Multiple Units
The London Midland and Scottish Railway pioneered Multiple Units with the introduction of a four-car diesel-electric train in 1928. This was followed by an articulated three-car diesel-hydraulic unit built at Derby in 1938.
The Southern Railway ran electric multiple units on the electrified lines.
Diesel Multiple Units were a major component of the 1955 Modernisation Plan. Their introduction would revolutionise the operation of branch line and suburban passenger trains, and spell the end for steam tank locomotives and carriages. Station operation and design would also be simplified as the driver could walk from one driving cab to the other, thus dispensing with the need for the run-round facilities required by locomotives.
Large scale introduction of Multiple Units began in 1956, but when the Beeching Report of 1963 resulted in the closure of many of the routes which the units operated upon further construction was halted.
Multiple Units fall into several types:-
Diesel Multiple Unit – DMU
These may have mechanical or hydraulic transmission driving through cardan shafts.
Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit – DEMU
These have traction motors driving individual axles.
Electric Multiple Unit – EMU
These may have collector shoes for third rails, or pantographs for overhead catenary and the electrical current is fed to traction motors driving individual axles.
Railbus
Generally a powered single carriage, but may be capable or running in multiple or pulling a trailer car or parcels van. Generally with mechanical transmission.
The London Midland and Scottish Railway pioneered Multiple Units with the introduction of a four-car diesel-electric train in 1928. This was followed by an articulated three-car diesel-hydraulic unit built at Derby in 1938.
The Southern Railway ran electric multiple units on the electrified lines.
Diesel Multiple Units were a major component of the 1955 Modernisation Plan. Their introduction would revolutionise the operation of branch line and suburban passenger trains, and spell the end for steam tank locomotives and carriages. Station operation and design would also be simplified as the driver could walk from one driving cab to the other, thus dispensing with the need for the run-round facilities required by locomotives.
Large scale introduction of Multiple Units began in 1956, but when the Beeching Report of 1963 resulted in the closure of many of the routes which the units operated upon further construction was halted.
Multiple Units fall into several types:-
Diesel Multiple Unit – DMU
These may have mechanical or hydraulic transmission driving through cardan shafts.
Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit – DEMU
These have traction motors driving individual axles.
Electric Multiple Unit – EMU
These may have collector shoes for third rails, or pantographs for overhead catenary and the electrical current is fed to traction motors driving individual axles.
Railbus
Generally a powered single carriage, but may be capable or running in multiple or pulling a trailer car or parcels van. Generally with mechanical transmission.