Laboratory 4 'Hastings'

To test the tilt system for APT-P a redundant former Class 201 6B Buffet car No:60750 was converted into a test vehicle and fitted with APT trailer bogies and re-numbered RDB975386. This vehicle had been originally built to the Hastings line narrow profile and was therefore ideal. Known as 'Hastings Coach', officially Laboratory 4 the conversion had dispensed with the original bogies, and almost everything else under the body shell as well. It was used to test the APT-P bogie, tilt and suspension systems as it could tilt 6 deg and still stay within the C1 gauge.

It had H4X bogies, two of only four ever made, and it had big secondary air springs which had solid rubber emergency springs inside in case the air pressure failed, which it did once or twice. 'Hastings' still exists at the Electric Railway Museum nr Coventry Airport. It's in pretty bad shape but is slowly being restored and has now been found a new home at the Battlefield Steam Railway at Shackerstone in November 2017 following the closure of the museum.

It's owned by the APT-E Conservation and Support Group.

Photos as credited
Lab 4 at the RTC sidings on 10 June 1985

Colin Marsden

 Lab 4 outside EDU

Unknown
Negotiating Syston North Curve on its way back from Old Dalby to the RTC

Kit Spackman

 Showing off its tilting ability at Sandbach station

Kit Spackman
Lab 4 on Way & Works Sidings at RTC with Brunel House in the background

Unknown

 Outside the EDU wearing the later red and beige livery

BR Official
Outside the EDU wearing the later red and beige livery

BR Official

 At the Electric Railway Museum in October 2014  

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