Электрификация железных дорог Ланкашира и Йоркшира: первые эксперименты и развитие

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LYR) built suburban electric stock for lines in Liverpool and Manchester. The line between Liverpool to Southport began using electric multiple units (EMUs) on 22 March 1904, using a third rail 625 V DC. Additional trains were later built for this route, and in 1913 incompatible stock for the route to Ormskirk. Lightweight units were built to run on the Liverpool Overhead Railway. The Southport units were replaced in the early 1940s; after regular through services onto the LOR were withdrawn the lightweight units were used on local Crossens services until 1945; the Ormskirk units were withdrawn in 1964. In 1913, an experimental 3.5 kV DC overhead line system operated between Bury and Holcombe Brook in the Manchester area, and 1.2 kV DC with a side contact third rail between Manchester Victoria and Bury. Electric services started in 1916, the Bury to Holcombe Brook route being converted in 1918. The cars were replaced in 1959/60.

Electrification of the Southport route was begun in 1902. It was increasingly popular for commuting and pleasure trips, but suffered from competition from the Cheshire Lines Railway. Electric traction was seen as cleaner than steam locomotives, and with coal prices rising, potentially cheaper. At the time, concerns were being expressed, especially in the railway press, that engineering developments in Britain was being overtaken by electrification projects in America and Switzerland. Preston based Dick, Kerr and Company was responsible for the traction systems and the L&YR built the rolling stock. A 625 V DC four rail system was adopted. A live rail was outside the running rails 3 feet (1 m) from the centre of the track and above the top of the running rails. Doors were provided at the ends of the cars and electric lighting was installed. The trains had an automatic vacuum brake. The trains were used on local services to Southport until 1945.

An experimental electric locomotive (rebuilt from a 2 4 2 steam locomotive) was introduced in 1912 for goods traffic and earned the nickname Beetle. This had four motors and could pick up current from the third rail on the main line or from overhead wires in Aintree and North Mersey yards. It was withdrawn and scrapped around 1919/20.

From 1913, an experimental electric service operated between Bury and Holcombe Brook. The equipment was provided by Dick, Kerr & Co. of Preston, which was developing its products for overseas sales. It used was 3.5 kV DC overhead, and four cars, two driving motor brake thirds and two driving trailer thirds, were built at the LYR's Newton Heath works. The motor cars had two motors, one and the other , and seated 75 passengers. The trailers seated 85 passengers. In 1918 the line was converted to the 1.2 kV DC system chosen for the Bury line and the cars stored before being converted into an experimental 4 car diesel electric unit in 1927.

A four wheeled, battery electric shunter was built as a low priority job between 1917 and 1918 and used at Clifton power station. There are some claims it later operated in Scotland. It was noted at Derby Works in May 1946 and is understood to have operated at the Greenhill Sleeper Works in Derby from 1946.