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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 3 (August 1, 1931)

Electrification Works in Progress

Electrification Works in Progress.

Trade depression and falling traffics have resulted in the holding-up of many Home railway improvement works. Electrification of several important Home railway routes is, however, proceeding steadily, notably on the Southern tracks in the London area, and in the Manchester district.

In the Manchester area the biggest job in hand is the conversion to electrical operation of the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway, an important line nine miles in length owned jointly by the L.M. & S. and L. & N.E. Railways, serving a rapidly-growing suburban territory. For some years there have been operated over this line a half-hourly service of steam passenger trains in each direction, and a specially supplemented “rush hour” service night and morning. Now steam operation is to be replaced by electric working, the electrification being on the 1,500 volt direct current principle, with overhead conductors. Electric working will enable three or four minutes to be saved on the nine mile through run between Manchester and Altrincham, and five or six minutes in the case of stopping trains. For passenger working there are being acquired 24 motor cars, 22 nondriving trailer cars, and 22 driving trailer-cars. Each motor car has six third-class compartments, seating 72 passengers. The non-driving trailers have five first-class compartments seating 40 passengers, and four third-class compartments seating 48 passengers. Nine third-class compartments, seating 108 passengers, comprise the accommodation in the driving trailers. Normally, trains will be composed of three cars, one of each type. At rush periods, six-car trains will be the rule. Eventually the Manchester-Altrincham electrified tracks will become an integral part of an extensive electric railway system serving the whole of the South Lancashire area.