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Autocar at Filey Station
History In 1903 the North Eastern Railway built two experimental railcars at their carriage works in York. These were powered by petrol engines which generated electricity for two traction motors which were mounted on the bogie underneath. This means of powering a railway vehicle was pioneering and would eventually be developed into the diesel-electric technology that powered and powers many locomotives worldwide. The railcars were numbered 3170 and 3171 and were 53.5 feet long and weighed around 35 tons. The 80 HP petrol engine was mounted in an engine compartment 13.25 feet long. The rest of the length was taken up by a vestibule, driving compartment and a 52-seat passenger compartment. In 1908 a pair of seats were removed to enlarge the vestibules. In 1923 No. 3170 was re-engined with a more powerful 225HP engine, allowing it to haul an unpowered coach as an early version of the multiple units used today. Maximum speed was only 36 mph but acceleration and braking to and from this was reported to be brisk, taking around 30 seconds. In appearance the railcars were similar to single decker trams. The NER called them autocars as they could be driven from either end, as with modern passenger trains. The railcars worked in Yorkshire throughout their working life, on lines round Scarborough, Harrogate and Selby. They were withdrawn in 1930 and 1931. Preservation Autocar 3170 under restoration No. 3170 was used as a holiday home for 70 years and was bought by a Yorkshire railway enthusiast in 2003. A trust was formed to restore the vehicle and a trailer coach to form a multiple unit that will be twice as old as most of the DMUs on other British heritage railways. To achieve its aim of restoring the Autocar back to working order and restore the trailer coach to go with it, the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust has been awarded several grants. The largest grant was awarded in March 2011 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a total of 465,800. PRISM (the fund for the PReservation of Industrial and Scientific Material) also awarded the project 20,000 for the restoration of the bodywork of the two vehicles, and the Ken Hoole Trust awarded the project 5000 which will go towards the restoration of the woodwork. Work has started on the restoration of the 1903 Electric Autocar and the Trust is always looking for volunteers or members to support the project via a one-off donation or an annual membership fee. Medley Models 7mm kit of the Autocar built by Robin Taylor Modelling the Autocar Following the renewed interest in the Petrol Electric Autocars, after the launch of the Trust, several manufacturers make model kits of the Autocar in various scales. In 2mm and 4mm (OO Gauge) scales, Worsley Works makes an etched brass kit of the body. In 7mm (O Gauge), Medley Models makes a kit in nickel-silver. References - Yorkshire Railways, A Haigh & D Joy, Dalesman 1979
- A Regional History of the Railways of Great Britain Volume 4 - The North East, K Hoole, David & Charles 1965
- British Railway Carriages of the 20th Century - Volume 1, David Jenkinson, Guild Publishing
- The North Eastern Petrol-electric Rail Cars, Motor Traction, September 15, 1906 p238, 239
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