The 1903 Petrol Electric Autocars were built by the North Eastern Railway in 1903 at their carriage works in York, England.

These were powered by petrol engines which generated electricity for two traction motors which were mounted on the bogie underneath.

This pioneering means of powering a railway vehicle would eventually develop into the diesel-electric technology used on most diesel locomotives worldwide.

The concept of using electric propulsion was pioneered by Vincent Raven, the Assistant Chief Mechanical Engineer for the North Eastern Railway.

3170 was re-engined with a more powerful 6-cylinder 225 hp engine,[2] allowing it to haul an unpowered coach, an early version of the multiple units used today.

3170 was fitted with a tin roof and verandah on a site near Kirkbymoorside, which protected it from the effects of the weather,[5] although it had ceased to be used as a holiday home some time before 2003, when it was bought for preservation by Stephen Middleton,[2] a restorer of vintage carriages.

Most of the restoration work took place at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, and the trust were also given NER autocoach No.

The coach was fitted with suitable control equipment, allowing the trust to run an Edwardian two-car multiple unit.

Costs overran, due in part to additional work needed on the chassis once it had been stripped and its condition assessed.

Work on the chassis was carried out at Quorn on the Great Central Railway, which was moved to Loughborough on 8 January 2015 where the power unit was fitted.

[10] Test runs of the completed chassis were carried out between Loughborough and Quorn from 17 March 2016, and it was moved to Embsay on 17 May, for the body to be attached.

[11] Work on the body and the autocoach took place at Embsay, and the coach which had been stabled at Levisham for many years was substantially restored by September 2018.