Pre-504 L&Y electrics

[L&Y Robert]

Does anyone know of any footage of the old Manchester-Bury electrics? That's the ones which operated the line before the 'new' 504s were introduced. Not just footage either, any pictures, drawings, diagrams would be of interest. I understand there aren't any preserved, or even rusting away forgotten anywhere. It's of interest because I used to commute on 'em!

 

[Ash Bridge]

Does anyone know of any footage of the old Manchester-Bury electrics? That's the ones which operated the line before the 'new' 504s were introduced. Not just footage either, any pictures, drawings, diagrams would be of interest. I understand there aren't any preserved, or even rusting away forgotten anywhere. It's of interest because I used to commute on 'em!

There is a couple of pages devoted to the Victoria-Bury Line in the publication "Manchester in the days of Steam, Part 1", by Paul Shackcloth, featuring some shots of the earlier L&Y electric units at Woodlands Rd. and Crumpsall stations, even an interior shot, just noticed there is a copy for sale on eBay for £15 post free.

 

[dubscottie]

The book "DC Electric Trains and Locomotives in The British Isles" (R.L Vickers, published by David & Charles, 1986 ISBN 07153 8674 3) has a history of the units and a few pictures and a diagram.

You can get a copy on Amazon for 1p!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Direct-Current-Trains-Locos-British/dp/0715386743/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

There is a brief bit footage at the end of this clip (no sound)

 

[gg1]

The book "DC Electric Trains and Locomotives in The British Isles" (R.L Vickers, published by David & Charles, 1986 ISBN 07153 8674 3) has a history of the units and a few pictures and a diagram.

You can get a copy on Amazon for 1p!!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Direct-Current-Trains-Locos-British/dp/0715386743/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

There is a brief bit footage at the end of this clip (no sound)

By the same author there's also "Early Electric Trains" published by Shire, long out of print but there are a few copies listed on ebay. As with all Shire publications it's not exactly a weighty tome (32 A5 pages) but is well worth a read if you're interested in pre WW2 British electrification schemes generally. There are a couple of paragraphs on the L&Y Bury electrification along with a photo and detailed diagram of one of the units.

 

[Taunton]

Longworth's large detailed book "Electric multiple units to 1975" has its usual full detail about the units, renumberings, diagrams, etc. They were run as 5-car units at all times, although they were effectively loose vehicles. From pictures the seats seem to have been cane/rattan rather than upholstered, and may have had reversible backs like in an old tramcar.

Although none were preserved I seem to recall that after withdrawl a couple of the bodies were grounded and used as offices at a couple of places around North Manchester for a while.

 

[341o2]

There is a picture, copyright H C Casserley of one unit at Bury Bolton St here

http://http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/bury_bolton_street/

 

[Ploughman]

Try this website:-
http://www.lyrs.org.uk/Electrification

 

[randyrippley]

Have you tried the NorthWest Film Archive? http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/
They have a lot of old films, but often not well described
for instance these two MAY be worth investigating

http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/viewVideo.php?token=1442agw334717hd671504saP5nxZYm2979b49Hq2dw7

http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/viewVideo.php?token=9699agw3543149H771105Ym5682b4