The Liverpool Overhead Railway opened on 6 March 1893 with 2-car electric multiple units, the first to operate in the world.

After 1945, some trains were modernised, replacing the timber body with aluminium and plywood and fitting power operated sliding doors under control of the guard.

[2] Power was provided by a third rail between the tracks[a] and air brakes were fitted, the pressure topped up at terminus stations.

To meet competition from the electric tramways that offered a faster service, in 1902 the motor cars were fitted with two Dick, Kerr & Co. 100 horsepower (75 kW) motors, which reduced the travel time from end to end from 32 minutes to 20 minutes.

[9][2] In 1945–47, a three car train was modernised, replacing the timber body with aluminium and plywood and fitting power operated sliding doors under control of the guard.