Hydra

Here is an internal R & D document about the experimental hydraulic drive single car unit Hydra and a few pictures.

Single car unit No: RDB 975385 (formerly a Cravens parcels car No:M55997) was converted as a test bed for hydraulic drive in 1974 and was known as Lab 9 'Hydra'. The unit was finally scrapped by Vic Berry at Leicester.

Hydra article

 The article explained the background and operation of the hydraulic drive system

Author's collection

Part two

In the yard

A better version of the article's photo of Hydra in the RTC Yard

Author's collection

In the yard at RTC

Hydra sits in the sidings outside the Advanced Projects Lab in the late 1970's

Author

Hydra at Mickleover

And here it is at the Mickleover test track 

Colin Marsden

Hydra at Etwall

A nice colour picture - this is at Etwall station on the Mickleover line in August 1984

Tony Woof

 

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