Petrol Electric Autocar No. 3170

May I ask why a diesel engine is being used to power a petrol electric railcar?

 

The choice of a diesel engine is discussed in the second newsletter:

"...It is doubtful that we could locate a suitable old petrol engine and new build would be prohibitively expensive, plus which one would you build? The original was useless, the Wolseley better but still underpowered, and we have no information on the ex MOD engine. Advice from both consultants and the HMRI suggest that petrol as a fuel source is a non starter, few if any preserved railways have petrol storage facilities; petrol is difficult to handle safely and also expensive."

Chris

 

Thanks. I'd looked for an explanation on the website but missed it obviously.

 

Short video has appeared of the Autocar/autocoach "outdoors" for the first time together:

Still plenty to do, but an amazing achievement so far.

Richard

 

Surprised nobody has posted a link to this video of the complete chassis being tested at the GCR earlier this month....

 

Craig Stinchcombe has uploaded another video of its trial runs:

 

Just a couple of thoughts one serious the other lighthearted. The serious one being that I really liked the rail level and bogie shots watching the ride of the wheels and vehicle. The other lighthearted one, is/could this be, classed as railway porn, what with the railmotor being naked with out the body attached?

 

Well, erm, if that's what turns you on...

 

Well I thought the page 3 topless models have stopped these days.

 

If you like your railway things "stripped down", have a gander at the bare metal on show here:

 

O.K. so that's a quarry Hunslet boiler in the background, backhead injectors, frame plates left and right - but which one? Do tell please???
Ray.

 

The NER 'Electric Autocar' has made it's first powered moves as a complete vehicle at Embsay:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=717637575243435

"There’s still work to do but we’ve set a launch date in October. This is for members and supporters, but the general public will have their chance as soon as possible afterwards"

 

Some brake testing.

 

What. A. Magnificent. Sight.

Fantastic - congratulations to all those involved in its restoration.

 

Have just caught the tail-end of a piece about this on the BBC News channel. I didn't realise it was the couple who also featured on the Rail Restorations programme that were behind it?

ETA: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-...c817440f6a310667f53cbd&pinned_post_type=share

 

Just noticed a short piece in the latest Railway Magazine stating that it is due to visit the GCR "For a short period" after being on display at the Warley Model Rail show at the end of November.

 

Brilliant - thanks for posting.

 

How long is it staying on the GC?

 

Not sure. But it'll be at Didcot over the Easter weekend.

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