BEL 2 / NSR 1 Battery Locomotive

Battery powered trains go back quite a bit further into railway history than many people imagine. BEL 1 and BEL 2 were two similar battery electric shunters built in the early 20th century for the LMS' predecessor railways. BEL 1 was built for the Midland Railway at it's Derby Works later working in British Railways colours at Poplar Dock in East London [1]. It was withdrawn and cut up in 1964.

Information
Number built:	2
Built:	1913, 1917
Builder:	Derby Works / NSR Stoke Works
Engine:	2 BTH traction motors (battery electric)
Power:	82 hp (61 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	Bo

BEL 2 was built as NSR 1 for the North Staffordshire Railway at Stoke during the First World War, originally working at a copper works. It was withdrawn and restored to its original livery at Crewe in the mid-1960s and joined the National Collection at York [2].

Two views of BEL 2 at NRM York

[1] Brian Haresnape, Electric Locomotives (Ian Allan, 1983) p. 20
[2] Paul Smith & Shirley Smith, British Rail Departmental Locomotives 1948-1968 (Ian Allan, 2014) p. 22