E train

Advanced Passenger Train - Experimental

The APT-E consisted of two driving power cars (PC1 and 2) and two trailer cars (TC1 and 2). The power cars were equipped with four 300 HP Leyland 350 gas turbines (and a fifth for auxiliary power supplies) and two GEC 253AY nose suspended traction motors on the leading bogies. Each vehicle was approx 70ft long with articulated bogies between them.

	The original concept drawing of the Advanced Passenger Train BR official
	An early mock up BR official
	A later version model which was not unlike the final design BR official
	The front cover of the August 1971 Sunday Telegraph Magazine featured the above model of the proposed APT-E Author

The Old Dalby test track was converted from a disused main line from Melton Mowbray to Nottingham and was used intensively by APT-E

In January 1976 it ran at 143.6 mile/h at Old Dalby, some achievement on a limited length line. It was withdrawn after it had completed its test programmes and on 11th June 1976 made its final journey to the NRM York where it now resides.

On 10th August 1975 APT-E achieved a speed of 152.3 mile/h whilst on test on the Western Region.

Here are some reminders of the APT-E at the Old Dalby test track and at the Railway Technical Centre and a few other places besides .

Click on the image for a bigger picture - photos are the author's where not credited

	The APT-E is pictured here undergoing end-loading tests in the R&DD workshop Colin Marsden		In this shot two of the vehicles are being fitted out as test cars Colin Marsden
	One of the driving cars pictured in the Vehicles Lab at the RTC when under construction. This part of the RTC is now RVL's maintenance workshop Author's collection		APT-E pictured in the Vehicles Lab workshop at the RTC in the company of one of the power cars of the prototype HST then identified as class 252 001 - October 1974 Author's Collection
	APT-E sits on the Goods Road at Derby Station prior to its first run to Duffield, 5 miles to the north, on July 25th 1972. Photographed from Hulland Street bridge. Author's collection		A head-on view of APT-E at the Old Dalby test track in the vicinity of MP111 at the north end of Grimston Tunnel Author's collection
	Another shot on the test track. I'm not sure exactly where this was taken but it may be the southern side of Stanton Tunnel Cecil J Allen collection		The cab layout was designed around a central seating position. Author's collection
	The articulation between the vehicles Author's collection		APT-E flashes past MP 111, just north of Grimston Tunnel, on a northbound high speed test run. Author's collection
	In June 1974 the APT-E takes the curve at London Road Junction on the way to Old Dalby.		On 27^th February 1976, just one month after attaining nearly 144 mile/h at Old Dalby, APT-E stands at Kettering Station after a high speed dash down the Midland main line from Derby. The occasion was a special run from Derby conveying staff from the RTC on a jolly.
	Later the train was stabled in the Down Goods road awaiting a return path home On the next road is one of the ubiquitous 16T mineral wagons, which in a lot of people's eyes represented the old railway.		Staff from the Railway Technical Centre admire the sleek lines of the APT-E whilst it waits in Kettering Down platform ready for the return run
	Back home in the Research Division yard outside the Test Hall 'E-Train', as it was more commonly known, rests in the sunshine Mick Wright		'E-Train' manoeuvres on the loop at the RTC sidings in June 1974 prior to departing for Old Dalby.
	APT-E in the sidings at the Railway Technical Centre in 1975 prior to a trip to Old Dalby. The Triumph Spitfire was owned by the author at the time.		In this overall view from the top of Brunel House, the APT-E can be seen leaving Derby en route to the test track in June 1974. There's a wealth of detail in the background of this picture - now mostly gone
	APT-E gets some attention in the sidings at the RTC in the summer of 1972 between trips to the test track		In this view of the RTC yard from the top of Brunel House in June 1974 the APT-E can be seen sticking out of the Vehicles Lab workshop.
	During its trials at Old Dalby 'E-Train' often ran as a three car set and here it is approaching the EDU as a three car sometime in 1974 Mick Wright		Moments later it's past and away towards Trent Junction and on to Old Dalby Mick Wright
	APT-E pictured on the Goods Road at Derby in September 1974 Ian Walmsley		APT-E passes Steventon on the West of England main line on 27th July 1975 whilst on a test run D E Canning
	APT-E near Goring on the West of England main line on 27th July 1975 whilst on a test run D E Canning		On 28th October 1975 APT-E is pictured arriving at St Pancras during a series of test runs on the Midland line BR Official
	APT-E waiting to depart from St Pancras for the run back to the RTC BR Official		By April 2003 three of the four cars were languishing in the yard at the National Railway Museum in York. PC1 is on the left
	Another shot of the intermediate car at York in 2003 - they were cosmetically restored for the 200th anniversary of rail in May 2004		A cut-away model of the Hydrokinetic brake as fitted to APT-E in the Stores at the NRM York

If you have found this page related to the APT-E of interest, then perhaps you would like to look at my Old Dalby site where there are more pictures of APT-E .

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