This 1904 Train Is the Sole Survivor of an Electric Railway Revolution | Curator with a Camera

Join curator Bob Gwynne for a tour of the 1904 North Eastern Railway (NER) electric luggage van at the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Shields, as we continue our exploration of vehicles on loan as well as those on display at our own museums.

Bob is rather fond of this striking looking electric multiple unit (EMU), particularly its bright red and cream paint scheme. It's the only surviving example of its type and started life hauling parcels and fish across the North East on a futuristic electric-powered railway introduced by the NER to redress the balance after the tram system tempted passengers away from rail travel.

The luggage van (also known as a luggage/baggage car) was subsequently converted into a de-icing vehicle and although the driving controls have since been stripped out of the cab, the shoe gear for interacting with the third rail—from which power was supplied to the motors—remains. As do an abundance of other 120-year-old features.

This vehicle is an important piece of transport history from the North East, so where better for it to be on display than in its North Tyneside home?

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To find out more about the Stephenson Steam Railway, visit: https://stephensonsteamrailway.org.uk/

To find out more about Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham, visit: https://www.locomotion.org.uk/

To find out more about the National Railway Museum in York, visit: https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
00:20 Doing battle with the trams
01:13 Electric benefits
01:58 Why were baggage cars introduced?
02:20 A lucky acquisition
2:52 Red and cream livery
3:05 Porthole window
3:54 Exterior details
4:17 Third rail shoe gear and de-icer
5:11 The NER's futuristic approach
5:54 Step inside!
8:30 Tool cupboard
9:25 Inside the cab
11:05 Frank Sprague
11:38 Porthole window opening
12:54 The vehicle's impact
13:34 Like and subscribe!

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