Liverpool Overhead Railway Motorcoach No.3

1961.127

Information

The Liverpool Overhead Railway, opened in 1893, was the first elevated electric railway in the world. It ran the length of the Liverpool docks – around six and a half miles. Although it was built to ease congestion along the docks it was also marketed as a tourist attraction as it provided amazing views of the docks, shipping and transatlantic liners on the River Mersey. The trains generally consisted of three coaches; a motorcoach at each end and a trailer coach between them. This is one of the original motorcoaches which has electric motors mounted beneath the floor, a driving cab at one end and third class accommodation with wooden seats. The unpowered central coach was fitted with leather-covered seats for first class passengers. This coach is one of a batch built between 1892-1899. It served on the Overhead Railway from when it opened until it closed in 1956 and was preserved by British Railways - the only example of a motorcoach to survive. It was later presented to National Museums Liverpool by the British Railways Board.