When Locomotion opened in 2004, one of the major exhibits to be housed under cover for the first time was the iconic Experimental Advanced Passenger Train, otherwise known as APT-E.
Since 2000, a loyal band of volunteers led by Paul Leadley and Kit Spackman (Mr Tilt of previous postings) has worked tirelessly on the conservation of the APT-E.
Since 2004 the train has had its tilting ability disabled and has been on temporary blocks, making it technically unstable. Kit has designed some anti-tilt blocks, which Richard Pearson and the workshop team made, and today these were fitted to make initially one power car stable. We can now allow the group access to safely work on the train and hopefully open the cab on select days. Should you wish to learn more about the train and the support group’s activities, please visit www.apt-e.org – if you’d like to get involved, the team will welcome you with open arms!
A great job all round I think.
Anthony, we should use your camera more often, as the engine room shot and the cab shot, like so good, you could think it was roll out day.
Nice blog, no lets get cracking on the rest of E train………
I was just searching for pics of the APT-E on its travels from Derby to The NRM York as I was the Guard who worked it that day – it was towed by a deisel Loco (Possibly a class 45) via a drawbar – I was in a freight brakevan to the rear – it was operated as a “SpeciaI” – The puzzling thing is that all the info i can find says it was delivered to York in 1976 – however I passed out as a guard just days before my 18th birthday in 1978 and was a Freight Guard working from from Derby 4-Shed so my recollection is that this would have been cira 1983 – or is my memory mistaking the version of the APT ? I worked it from Derby to Masboro and from there I had another guard joined me as i didn’t Sign for the road between Masboro and York – where we “Backed it into the sidings at the NRM
hoe these notes are helpful and I would appreciate being put right if my memories are incorrect
John Carpenter
I saw the train arrive in 1976, was stood in the NRMs north car park, so it was 100% 1976.
Hope this clears things up John.
will the apt-e ever be driven on the midland mainline