Self-propelled "steam railmotors" were first used on 12 October 1903 between and ; within five years 100 had been constructed. These trains had special retractable steps that could be used at stations with lower platforms than was usual in England. The railmotors proved so successful on many routes that they had to be supplemented by trailer cars with driving controls, the first of which entered service at the end of 1904. From the following year a number of small locomotives were fitted so that they could work with these trailers, the combined sets becoming known as "autotrains" and eventually replacing the steam rail motors. Diesel railcars were introduced in 1934. Some railcars were fully streamlined, some had buffet counters for long-distance services, and others were purely for parcels services.
self-propelled "steam railmotors" were first used on 12 october 1903 between and ; within five years 100 had been constructed these trains had special retractable steps that could be used at stations with lower platforms than was usual in england the railmotors proved so successful on many routes that they had to be supplemented by trailer cars with driving controls the first of which entered service at the end of 1904 from the following year a number of small locomotives were fitted so that they could work with these trailers the combined sets becoming known as "autotrains" and eventually replacing the steam rail motors diesel railcars were introduced in 1934 some railcars were fully streamlined some had buffet counters for long-distance services and others were purely for parcels services