page_title: 1903 Petrol Electric Autocar
section_title: Preservation
hierarchical_section_title: 1903 Petrol Electric Autocar / Preservation
caption_attribution_description: English: 1903 Petrol Electric Autocar 3170 of the North Eastern Railway under restoration
context_page_description: 1903 Petrol Electric Autocar. In 1903 the North Eastern Railway built two experimental railcars at their carriage works in York. These were powered by petrol engines which generated electricity for two traction motors which were mounted on the bogie underneath. This means of powering a railway vehicle was pioneering and would eventually be developed into the diesel-electric technology that powered and powers many locomotives worldwide. The railcars were numbered 3170 and 3171 and were 53.5 feet long and weighed around 35 long tons. The engine was mounted in an engine compartment 13.25 feet long. The rest of the vehicles' length was taken up by a vestibule, driving compartment and a 52-seat passenger compartment.
context_section_description: The body of no. 3170 was used as a holiday home near Kirbymoorside in North Yorkshire for 70 years and was bought by a railway enthusiast in 2003. A trust was formed to restore the vehicle and a trailer coach to form an Edwardian multiple unit that will be twice as old as most of the (ex-BR) DMUs on other heritage railways.
  There are several changes to the autocar, to reflect changes in railway technology and regulation. The power unit is based around a new diesel engine from Cummins and the chassis is a strengthened conversion of one from a GNR milk and brake van. The work done to the chassis has been meant substantial delay and expense, but is a vital part of the project.
  To achieve its aim of restoring the autocar back to working order and restore the trailer coach to go with it, the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust has been awarded several grants. The largest grant was awarded in March 2011 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a total of £465,800. PRISM (the fund for the PReservation of Industrial and Scientific Material) also awarded the project £20,000 for the restoration of the bodywork of the two vehicles, and the Ken Hoole Trust awarded the project £5000, which has gone towards the restoration of the woodwork. In December 2014, the Transport Trust granted the Trust a loan facility of up to £46,000 to cover any shortfall in the Trust finances, caused by the extra expense on the chassis.
  Restoration work started in early 2011. The Trust's web-site has details of the latest developments and news is also posted on the LNER Encyclopedia's Forum page and on RMWeb. Videos of the testing of the new powerunit and chassis on the Great Central Railway (preserved) are posted on YouTube - the 'official' one is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N99dUPMQar8. There is another shot by our test-driver at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tONHtVfQ9MA which includes rail-level footage.
  In addition to the autocar, the Trust has restored an NER 'autocoach', which was kindly donated to the Trust by the NER coach group at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This was stabled at Levisham for many years, but is now (September 2018) substantially restored.
  Brake tests on the autocar were carried out on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway during September and October 2018. The autocar officially re-entered service on Friday 19 October 2018. Both vehicles are expected to operate regular public service in early 2019.
  The Trust is always looking for volunteers or members to support the project either by working on restoration/maintenance, as 'hosts'/'explainers' to passengers, on 'back room' tasks or via a financial donation.
caption: Autocar 3170 under restoration
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