Early Metropolitan Railway Electric Multiple Units (1904, 1905, 1906 Stock)

Faced with competition from electric trams (and deep-level tube trains) and a growing reluctance from passengers to travel on steam trains underground, the Metropolitan Railway began the process of electrifying its lines in the early 1900s. An experimental train was built jointly with the District Railway [1] and tested in 1900 between Earl's Court and High Street Kensington. The line used twin 600v DC conductor rails either side of the track.

Preserved 1904 Stock trailer car at LT Museum Depot, Acton

Information
Number built:	535 cars
Built:	1902-06
Builder:	Metropolitan Amalgamated
Motor:	Westinghouse electric motors (600v DC Fourth Rail)
Power:	600 hp (440 kW)

Following the success of this test the Metropolitan Railway pushed ahead. A 3kV AC overhead electric system was considered, but in the end the Metropolitan decided to stick with DC conductor rails as was being adopted by London's other electric railways (and of course is used to the current day). The stock for this initial phase of electrification was built in three batches, known as the 1904, 1905 and 1906 Stock. A mixture of motor cars and trailers were built, open lattice gates used for passenger access. The initial batch of trains used Westinghouse electrical equipment though later units used more powerful British Thomson-Houston GE69 motors.

The units began operation from Uxbridge to Baker Street in 1905 [2]. The trains had first and third class seating. The open platforms proved to be troublesome in the open air parts of the line and were covered over after a short time [3]. Central sliding doors were also added in the early 1910s. One trailer has survived into preservation though is still in a poor state.

Car under test at Westinghouse track in Manchester (using AC OHLE) [4]

[1] Mike Horne, The Metropolitan Line (Capital Transport, 2003) p. 28

[2] Brian Hardy, Underground Train File Surface Stock 1933-1959 (Capital Transport, 2002) p. 4

[3] Piers Connor, The London Underground Electric Train (Crowood Press, 2015) p. 41

[4] "The Single Phase Railway System", The Electrician (July 6 1906) (Supplement Bulletin 10)