The British Rail Class 506 was a three-carriage Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) built for local services between Manchester, Glossop and Hadfield on the Woodhead Railway. This local line was part of LNER’s scheme to electrify the Manchester – Sheffield and Wath route using a 1,500V dc overhead system. Due to the Second World War this service did not open until the 14 Jun 1954 when eight units were introduced. At peak times it was possible to form two 6-carriage units leaving one spare unit and one undergoing maintenance.
The units were manufactured by the Birmingham Railway and Carriage Company of Smethwick, Birmingham, and they were fitted with GEC traction motors and electrical equipment. Each unit had one pantograph mounted above the cab. They had electro-magnetic brakes and five-lamp route indicators.
This line was the last functioning 1,500V dc overhead system on the British Rail network and it closed on the 7 December 1984. None of these units were preserved but one 506 cab did survive and presently this is at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Chesterfield. It is hoped that this can be renovated and brought to Guide Bridge Station to go on display at the Woodhead Railway Museum formed by the Woodhead Railway Heritage Group.
There were eight units and each carriage was individually numbered as shown in the table.
| Unit No. | Pantograph Carriage | Middle Carriage | Non-pantograph Carriage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M59401M | M59501M | M59601M |
| 2 | M59402M | M59502M | M59602M |
| 3 | M59403M | M59503M | M59603M |
| 4 | M59404M | M59504M | M59604M |
| 5 | M59405M | M59505M | M59605M |
| 6 | M59406M | M59506M | M59606M |
| 7 | M59407M | M59507M | M59607M |
| 8 | M59408M | M59508M | M59608M |
Class 506 EMU Unit No. 7.