APT-P power car test train

APT-P power car test train

Due to an extended delay in the delivery of the first trailer rake from Derby C&W Works it was decided to test and commission the power cars which were sitting around at Derby, having been delivered on time from the Locomotive Works.

The Power Car test train consisted of Test Service Car 8 housing a generator and compressor (since the trailer rake carried this equipment normally) and Test Car 5 which was fulfilling its normal role. The HST power car was the only traction that could run at 125 mile/h officially - well it tried. Unfortunately one PC struggled to reach 125 mile/h so eventually the original HST PCs were used back-to-back.

Once at Crewe and under the knitting the HST was turned into a DVT and traction was supplied by the APT power car

The power car test train consist - Once at Crewe and under the knitting the HST was turned into a DVT and traction was supplied by the APT power car

Author's collection

Some photos of the train in action

	The power car test train pictured in the RTC sidings formed as noted above TSC No8, power car, SC49001 and Test Car 5 Author's collection		Another view of the HST power car, Test Service Car 8, APT power car SC49001 and Test Car 5 outside the power box at Derby Author's collection
	The power car test train heads south through the middle roads at York at 1445 on a cloudy 1st Sept 1977. APT power car SC49001 on test with TC5 and TSC No8 unusually with both HST prototype power cars Dave Stacey		Ex prototype HST power car W43000 leads an APT test train with power car sc49004 and TC5 with TSC No8 through Bee Lane just south of Preston on 25th September 1978. Roger Sutcliffe
	The power car test train pictured north of Rugby station in 1978 Stewart Warrington		The power car test train on the WCML pictured approaching Linslade Tunnel on the Down Fast line on 2nd November 1978 with Lab 6 'Prometheus' at the rear probably undertaking pantograph testing Kevin Lane
	The power car test train pictured at Oxenholme unknown		Close up of the power car at Oxenholme unknown
	Passing Hest Bank in August 1978 Graham Williams		Heading south from Derby on the Birmingham line Peter Kazmierczak
	Two HST Prototype PCs with a short rake passing Cheddington c1979-80 Alan Roberston		Two HST Prototype PCs with a short rake passing Cheddington c1979-80 Alan Roberston
	Two HST Prototype PCs with a short rake passing Cheddington c1979-80 Alan Roberston		Two HST Prototype PCs with a short rake passing Cheddington c1979-80 Alan Roberston
	The power car test train pictured near Crewe on 1st June 1981 with what looks like class 25 haulage Arnie Furniss

Back to APT-P index

Back to main index