The Liverpool Overhead Railway

Dewi Williams

Comments/corrections to: Dewi Williams

Date/Time: August, 1954.

[LOR crest] n32_2_6

The LiverpoolOverhead Railway ran the whole length of the dock area of Liverpool. It owed a lot to the New York "Elevated", but it was designed from the start as an electric line, using conductor rails for power and having light-weight cars.

Eventually, the steel decking and superstructure needed replacement. At the same time, employment in the dock area was decreasing, and airplanes were starting to take over from ocean liners as the medium of long-distance travel. The cost of refurbishment was thought to be too high, and so the line closed and was dismantled. The following picture shows the letter warning of impending closure of the line (courtesy of Alfred Lewin). Click on the image for a larger picture.

In its heyday, it was a wonderful way of viewing the activities along the docks, and the company promoted this tourist aspect of its operations.

[LOR poster] n32_5_1a

I took photos of

The company issued a guide to the line. The following picture is by courtesy of Richard Jones.

[Guide book] front.jpg

Some staff were issued passes so that they could travel on the line, when on company business. The following picture is by courtesy of Alfred Lewin.

[Pass]

There's a history of the Liverpool Overhead Railway, with other pictures, at The Liverpool Overhead Railway.

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This page last updated 2003-09-15