In its first attempt to replace steam-hauled passenger trains, Great Northern Railway of Ireland opted for light diesel-engined railcars which were cheaper to operate than loco-hauled trains. AEC built 20 motor cars in 1951 which were looseley based on the GWR railcars of the thirties.
Each car had two 125 hp AEC engines, each of which drove one axle. Apart from driving trailers, intermediate trailers had been rebuilt from steam coaches. Each formation could contain up to four motor cars. They came to UTA in 1958 and were withdrawn and scrapped in 1972. 