22 3-car EMUs and two spare power cars were built for the new electric service, which started on 11 May 1931. It was common with the earlier generation electric trains for the power cars to require much more engineering workshop time than the trailers, and several systems had additional power cars built. These trains were based at Altrincham depot and ran exclusively between Manchester and Altrincham for forty years. In 1939 eight additional trailers were added, both new build and secondhand conversions, inserted into eight of the 3-car sets, and these allowed 7-car trains to be run on many peak hour services. The Altrincham electrics had substantial power installed and were well able to handle the extra car. As with other Manchester area suburban electric services, demand reduced notably from the 1950s onwards, and the 7-car trains were eliminated.
Route shortened
The 1931 service ran from Altrincham, through Manchester Oxford Road, to Manchester London Road. In 1961 it was decided to extend the 25 kV electrification project from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly through to Oxford Road station, and thus the Altrincham electric trains had to be cut back to that point, where new terminal platforms for them were provided in a rebuilt station. The long term intention was to link the two routes as a through service, but this did not happen for another 10 years.
Withdrawal and preservation
In April 1971 all the Class 505 Altrincham Electric units were withdrawn when the line was converted from 1,500 V DC to. Two centre trailer cars, M29666 and M29670, were purchased by the Altrincham Electric Railway Preservation Society and moved to the Yorkshire Dales Railway. In 1983 they were moved to the Midland Railway Centre in Derbyshire where they are undergoing restoration. Here they joined centre trailer coach M29663 which had been bought by Derby City Council. This coach was broken up in 2006. No driving coaches have been preserved.
Description
The Altrincham Electrics were built with a wooden frame construction and individual compartments, with no corridors or gangways. They were coupled as 3-car sets and often operated in multiple as 6-car trains at rush hours. The units were built by Metropolitan Cammell to an LMS design and were a much more conservative style of train than the Southport and Wirral line EMUs which the LMS introduced just a few years later.
