Metropolitan Railway electric multiple units

After a joint experiment with the District Railway with which they operated the inner circle in London, a four rail DC system was chosen.

The use of steam underground led to smoke-filled stations and carriages which was unpopular with passengers, and conversion to electric traction was seen as the way forward.

A jointly owned experimental train of six coaches was tested on passenger service on an Earl's Court to High Street Kensington shuttle in 1900.

Composed of four trailers and two motor cars this had pick up shoes which made contact with conductor rails energised at 600 V DC on both sides of the track.

[2] The experiment was considered a success, and following tenders a 3000V AC system was recommended by the electrification joint committee,[3] and this was accepted by both parties until the American led UERL took control of the District.

After arbitration by the Board of Trade a DC system with four rails was taken up and the railways began electrifying their routes, using multiple-unit stock and electric locomotives hauling carriages.

Twenty 6-cars trains were ordered for the Hammersmith & City line that the Met jointly operated with the Great Western Railway with Thomson-Houston equipment (BTH) and GE76 150 hp motors.

However, it was quickly found that the lattice gates left the coach ends exposed when working in the open and the cars were modified with vestibules from 1906.

Having access only from the end of the coaches was a problem on the busy circle line and centre sliding doors were added from 1911.

[8] Initially two 4-car rakes were converted by fitting control equipment and cabs to run with 150 BWE motor cars.

[11] In 1913 the Metropolitan needed additional stock to serve the East London Railway, and it had introduced through running at Baker Street.

[13] After London Underground was formed in 1933 the Circle stock was renovated, painted in a red and cream livery and the traction motors replaced a year later at Acton Works.

The 'MW' stock was ordered in 1929, 30 motor coaches and 25 trailers similar to the 'MV' units, but with Westinghouse brakes to make five 7-car trains.