Diesel-electric railcar

[markindurham]

G'day all.

Looking through some books which I have just aquired, I've found reference to a diesel-electric railcar that occasionally saw service on a Scarborough-Pickering-Whitby-Scarborough circuit. I wonder if anyone can expand on this? A brief search on here has, so far, drawn a blank. Many thanks.

Mark

[jwealleans]

What sort of era? Didn't one of the NER Autocars work in that area?

[markindurham]

Late NER/early LNER, I think. Yes, I knew about the Petrol railcar, but the mention of diesel has surprised me.

Mark

[Solario]

I think that you are referring to the Armstrong-Whitworth diesel electric railcars of which there were three. They were built in the early 1930s and later taken into LNER stock.

One of the early demonstration runs was on the route you mention. They had fairly short lives and did not amass a great mileage because of reliability problems.

They were named Tyneside Venturer, Lady Hamilton & Northumbrian. They were tried in various locations especilly on the Middlesborough Scarborough coast line, around Hull and in the Leeds Harrogate area.

There is a wealth of information about them in Volume 10B of the RCTS Locomotives of the LNER series.

[markindurham]

Solario, many, many thanks for that. Time to buy another book!

Mark

[2502]

According to Railway World Oct 1957,Tyneside Ventuer was built Newcastle 1931, demonstrated 23-11-31.
Press run 16 2 -32,NC -Hexham as multiple with second car , which became Lady Hamilton. Early 19333 third car Northumbrian sent to Wolvertonfpr temp fitting ofKitchen,2 lavatories,2 wardrobes 7 Luxurious seating for 12 passengers.Used to convey guests of Armstrong Witworth & Shell B from Euston to B.I.Fair at C.astle Brom.Known as the Castle Brom Express. fuel consumtion .617 pence per mile.All 3 taken over by LNER in 1934.T.V. worked M BRO to S BRO via Whitby, other 2 at Hull.Worked to York,Harrogate, &Pontefract.Painted dark blue &cream.All W/D 1939.no reason explained.

[kudu]

There is a wealth of information about them in Volume 10B of the RCTS Locomotives of the LNER series.

There is also (free) info on this site, under "Locomotives".

Kudu

[2512silverfox]

Also digrams etc in British Railcars by David Jenkinson (Atlantic)

[Jades]

The excellent 'Armstrong Whitworth: A Pioneer of World Diesel Traction' by the late Brian Webb has extensive coverage, photos and drawings of the railcars in question as well as the other Armstrong Whitworth stuff that ran trials on the LNER. Available from The RCTS website and well worth buying.