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Subject: North Tyneside two-car EMU Gauge: ‘OO’ Proposed by: Peter Coombs What is it?
Now that we have a few locomotive models of North Eastern area prototypes, plus a variety of third rail electric units in ‘OO’, a model of one of the Metro-cammell North Tyneside units of 1937/38 would be an excellent addition. The Tyneside system was one of the earliest electrifications in the UK outside London. It came into operation in 1902 and served the area for over 60 years. The first units were brought into service by the North Eastern Railway and further similar units were added by the LNER in 1920/22. Substantially refurbished, these later units soldiered on south of the Tyne until 1955, when they were replaced by Br-built units based on the Southern Region 2-EPBS. The 1937/38 units replaced the old NER units and worked the routes on the north side of the river until termination of electric services in the late 1960s. Control systems on the LNER and NER vehicles were different, so they could not run coupled together.
A total of 132 all-steel vehicles were ordered from Metro-cammell and these consisted of 64 twin-car articulated units, two Motor Parcels Vans and two Luggage Motor Thirds. The passenger vehicles were divided into two saloons with an open-plan layout, having pairs of bucket-style seats either side of a central aisle. Single, manually operated sliding doors were fitted at each end of each passenger coach and it was not uncommon to find these left open while the train was in motion on hot days! The trains had a very distinctive shape and sound. Original livery was red and cream, but this was soon changed to blue and off-white. Both liveries suited the trains well, although I preferred the later version. BR repainted them in drab green and then added yellow panels.
The articulated pairs were of four different types. The 12 Type A pairs had a Driving Motor Third and Driving Trailer Third. Type B consisted of 16 pairs of Driving Motor Baggage Third and Driving Trailer Convertible. The 18 Type C pairs had a Driving Motor Third and Trailer Third, while the 18 Type D pairs had a Trailer Convertible and Driving Motor Baggage Third. With driving compartments only at one end, Types C and D ran together as four-car units. The most useful unit to model would be the Type B, but Type A would be an easy economical variation.
What would make it viable?
I appreciate that the chance of this model ever appearing is remote, but I travelled many miles on them in the 1940s and have fond memories of the units. To me, they mean Tyneside – although younger readers would almost certainly opt for the equally characteristic Tyne & Wear Metro units.
Can I see a real one?
Sadly, none are preserved.
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