LMS Leyland Articulated Railcar

The LMS built this railcar, which consisted of three articulated sections each with two motors, at it's Derby Works in 1938. The railcar was based mechanically on railcars built for the LMS Northern Counties Railway in Northern Ireland in 1933. The two driving cars had a streamlined design and were 19.51m long, the middle section being shorter (15.85m).

The Leyland Articulated Railcar [2]

Information
Number built:	1
Built:	1938
Builder:	LMS Derby
Motor:	6 Leyland diesels
Power:	750 hp (559 kW)

Dspite a number of technical issues during testing, the railcar entered service in 1939, based at Bedford sometimes working a London St Pancras to Nottingham service [1] and also on the Varsity Line [3]. 

However, it's working life was short as it was withdrawn at the start of the Second World War. The railcar never re-entered revenue earning service. The two driving ends were converted into an overhead line maintenance train. The streamlined cabs were replaced by flat ends. It remained in this role until 1959 and then languished in a derelict state until final disposal in 1967.

[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 12

[2] "British streamlined diesel train", Meccano Magazine (June 1938) p. 316

[3] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Multiple Units: The First Generation (Ian Allan, 1985) p. 10