Advanced Passenger Train APT-E - National Railway Museum Shildon, County Durham, England
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NH82
N 54° 37.458 W 001° 37.836
30U E 588412 N 6053846
The APT-E, for Advanced Passenger Train Experimental, was the prototype Advanced Passenger Train tilting train unit. It was the only multiple unit powered by gas turbines used by British Rail. Preserved at the NRM's Locomotion museum in Shildon.
Waymark Code: WMZY9X
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/22/2019
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The APT-E, for Advanced Passenger Train Experimental, was the prototype Advanced Passenger Train tilting train unit. It was powered by gas turbines, the only multiple unit so powered that was used by British Rail. The APT-E consisted of two driving power cars (PC1 and 2) and two trailer cars (TC1 and 2). Each power car was equipped with four Rover- built Leyland 2S/350 gas turbines (and a fifth for auxiliary power supplies), these initially produced 300 HP each but were progressively uprated to 330 HP. Two GEC 253AY nose suspended traction motors provided the traction on the leading bogies. The vehicles were manufactured from aluminium, approx 70 ft long (21 m) with articulated bogies between them.
The APT-E made its first run on 25 July 1972 from Derby to Duffield and was immediately 'blacked' by the drivers' union ASLEF, due to concerns that the single driver's seat preempted ongoing negotiations about the single-manning of trains. It was over twelve months before it ran again on the main line in August 1973.
The prototype was eventually tried out on the Great Western Main Line, and achieved a new British railway speed record when on 10 August 1975 it hit 152.3 mph (245.1 km/h) whilst on test with the Western Region between Swindon and Reading. It was also tested extensively on the Midland Main Line out of London St. Pancras and on the Old Dalby Test Track, where in January 1976 it attained a speed of 143.6 mph (231.1 km/h).
The unit was only intended for testing and was never used in ordinary public service, although it did carry office staff and the occasional dignitaries on trial runs. When its period of testing was complete, in June 1976, it was sent to the National Railway Museum, York for preservation. It is now based at the NRM's Locomotion museum in Shildon. When further APT Class 370 units were built, they were powered by 25 kV AC electrification.
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Visiting information: (
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As of 2019, the museum is open daily 10.00–16.00 in winter (from 4 November), 10.00–17.00 in summer. The address of the museum is
Shildon DL4 2RE
and entry to the museum is free, even though donations are welcome. Access info:
"We are a three-minute walk from Shildon railway station (SHD), served by Northern Rail trains from Darlington and Bishop Auckland."
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A verification of visit question provided as an alternate visit option for visitors who choose to visit without providing proof photos:
The train formation is broken in two parts and you can walk between them. Walk to the position next to the bogie of the section with the toilet door in the break. Opposite the toilet door there is an air conditioning panel. Above the red "POWER ON" and "HIGH PRESSURE" lights you can see a sign containing the name of the company which produced the air conditioning system and its address. Please send me the name of the company and its address using the "send email" link provided in my profile. Please do not post photos of the air conditioning panel containing the sign in question to the waymark gallery.