LMS electric units

This article is about the units introduced by the LMS in 1926–32. For the units the LMS inherited see LNWR electric units and LYR electric units. For the LMS units that were later given a TOPS number see British Rail Class 502 and British Rail Class 503.

LMS electric units
LMS electric unit at Aintree, near Liverpool
In service	1926–1964
Number built	23 train sets + 5 driving motor cars
Formation	driving motor car + trailer + driving trailer
Operator(s)	London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Specifications
Power output	4 x 265 hp (198 kW) traction motors
Electric system(s)	DC third and fourth rail

LMS electric units were built in 1926–32 by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) for use on the Liverpool to Ormskirk line and the DC lines in north London. Having inherited systems with DC electrification, the LMS built a number of new 3-car electric multiple units. The trains were withdrawn in 1963 and 1964.

Life

In the 1923 grouping the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) inherited several suburban railways with DC electrification, including systems in Liverpool and London. In 1926–27 the LMS received 28 driving motor thirds from the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Company, each with four 265 horsepower (198 kW) Metrovick motors, and 23 composite trailers from the Clayton Wagon Company and driving trailer thirds from the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company. Similar to the earlier LNWR electric units but with accommodation in compartments, seating being provided for 40 in first class and 240 third class, and 11 three car sets were sent for use on the Liverpool to Ormskirk line, alongside the LYR electric units, the remainder being used on the Euston and Broad Street DC lines in north London. In 1932 additional cars were purchased to increase the London fleet to 25 three car sets. These ran with the LNWR electric units and additional third class trailers that were marshalled in or between sets to increase train length to seven cars. The London-based units were withdrawn in 1963.

The Liverpool trains were reformed into three and two car units in 1939, so as work with the new 5-car stock that was to become British Rail Class 502, and a 2-car unit was subsequently converted for parcels use. The units were withdrawn in 1964.