2007-09-24 08:47:36 · 4 answers · asked by Bruza 17/uk 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
The first known electric locomotive was built by a Scotsman, Robert Davidson of Aberdeen in 1837 and was powered by galvanic cells ('batteries'). Davidson later built a larger locomotive named Galvani which was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Society of Arts Exhibition in 1841. The first electric passenger train was presented at Berlin in 1879. However, the limited electric power available from batteries prevented its general use on railways.[1]
The first mainline electrification was on the Baltimore Belt Line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) in 1895.
2007-09-24 08:59:09 · answer #1 · answered by "DOZER" 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
The first two practical [passenger carrying] trains were built in Germany.
From 31 May to 30 September 1879 Werner von Siemens operated the first practical railway at the Berlin Trades Exhibition. The 3 horse power locomotive pulled 30 passengers at 6.5 km/h [4 mph] The locomotive had four flanged wheels of about 450mm [18 inches] diameter; the electric motor was housed in a wooden box on which von Siemens's sat, his feet resting on what, on a steam locomotive, would be the front buffer beam. The locomotive picked up electrical power from the track, the power being supplied to the track by a dynamo, probably driven by a stationary steam engine. The locomotive was about 1500mm long and 600mm wide and 900mm high [5ft x 2ft x 3ft]. It traversed a roughly circular track of 900 metres [1000 yards] in length and was used for exhibition purposes only. I believe the locomotive is still displayed in the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
The first public electric railway in the world opened near Lichterfelde, near Berlin on 12 May 1881. It was 2.5km [11/2 miles] long. The car drew current at 100 volts and carried 26 passengers at 48km/h [30 mph]
In England Magnus Volks built the Volks Electric Railway at Brighton, Sussex. It opened 4 August 1883 and still runs along Brighton Sea Front during the summer months. It is owned by Brighton Council and is run by an enthusiast group.
Also, in 1883 the Portrush, Giants Causeway Railway opened in Northern Island.
2007-09-24 17:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by Wembley Lion 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This site may interest you:- http://www.volkselectricrailway.co.uk/
The oldest remaining operating electric railway in the world, dating from 1883.
2007-09-24 17:14:14 · answer #3 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
YORK just a guess
2007-09-24 15:55:46 · answer #4 · answered by theresa c 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋