Cash boost for autocar restoration scheme

The North Eastern Railway 1903 Electric Autocar Trust has been given the money as it seeks to restore the autocar which is powered by electric traction.

Two of the vehicles were built by Vincent Raven, assistant chief mechanical engineer of the North Eastern Railway, in the early 20th century.

They went out of service in the 1930s, but one was sold and it was used by a farmer as a holiday home near to Kirkbymoorside, in North Yorkshire.

It was spotted by the enthusiasts and bought from the farmer in September 2003 by carriage restorer Stephen Middleton.

The latest money has come from the PRISM Fund which is better known as the Fund for Preservation of Industrial and Scientific Material hence its support.

Money has also be given by from the Ken Hoole Trust to let the trust carry out work to help restore the electric autocar.

Trust chairman Stephen Middleton said: "We are immensely grateful to both bodies.

"In such tough times competition for increasingly limited funds must be intense, so it is wonderful to see our work valued.

"Trust members are excited at the prospect of beginning restoration work after so long and would welcome new volunteers to help us achieve our tough deadline."

Mr Raven dreamt up the idea of the autocar in 1903 when the world of railways was powered by steam.

Electric tramcars were on the streets and he saw the advantage of using electricity as a superior power to haul vehicles up hills.

But he took the technology a step further when, instead of drawing electricity from overhead as tram cars did, he fitted the cars' own power plants.

An application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the trust and if this is successful the autocar will be equipped with an engine, controls and brakes.

Also a linked autocoach will be restored and equipped to be used as a moving trailer.

To donate to the project visit www.electricautocar.co.uk or contact Mr Middleton at the autocar’s base on 01423-561965.