British Rail Class AM1
Class AM1 was allocated to the prototype 25kV AC electric multiple units, converted from former fourth rail DC electric stock in 1952 and used on the Lancaster/Morecambe/Heysham route. This route had been electrified by the Midland Railway at 6.6kV AC, but the equipment was replaced with 25kV AC overhead electrification and reopened in 1953 to test the prototype AM1 stock. The line was closed to passengers and the stock withdrawn in early 1966. Unlike Classes AM2-AM11, which became TOPS Classes 302-311, Class AM1 was withdrawn before it could take its place in the system as the Class 301. However, it was the success of these tests that contributed to the decision to choose 25kV AC overhead electrification as standard in Great Britain (outside the Southern Region).
Previous Use
The carriages coverted to form the prototype units were drawn from former LNWR Electric Units built in 1914 by the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon & Finance Company for use on the Willesden line fourth rail DC electrification. They had been stored early in World War II after the West London route on which they worked was closed to passengers due to bomb damage.
Formations
Unit numbers were not allocated, but sets were referred to by the last two digits of the MBSO number. The numbers of individual carriages were:
MBSO TSO DTSO
Set 19 M28219M M29721M M29021M
Set 20 M28220M M29722M M29022M
Set 21 M28221M M29723M M29023M
Set 22 M28222M M29724M M29024M
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