Virtual Museum
The Advanced Passenger Train - Prototype
The InterCity APT-P (Advanced Passenger Train Prototype) were a fleet of six units making three trains, that were constructed by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at Derby Works. Designed to be used on the West Coast Mainline between London Euston and Glasgow Central the APT-P still remains the most powerful passenger train to have operated in Britain, the APT-P was the second member of the family of tilting trains following successful trial of the APT-E (Advanced Passenger Train Experimental).
The trains were developed to test the new concept of ‘tilting’ that allowed the trains to travel around corners at greater speeds decreasing journey times. Unveiled to the public on 7th June 1978 and continued to be used for testing until 1986 when it was withdrawn from service, although deemed by many to be a failure the cutting edge technology is now common place on trains around the world.
370 003 passes Crewe North Junction Signal Box on its way to Crewe International Electric Maintenance Depot (Crewe IEMD).
1988 | The APT is seen arriving at the Crewe Heritage Centre.
The APT-P was moved here to the Crewe Heritage Centre from storage in 1988, where it had been stored since it was withdrawn from service. The train was donated to the Heritage Centre by British Rail and was originally placed where the Supermarket is today. In 1990 plans were announced to build the new Supermarket and the APT-P was moved to its current location.
On 16th June 2002 an event was held by Virgin Trains to launch their new fleet of ‘Pendolino’ trains, 390 006 was stopped along side the APT-P and the new class of locomotive was officially launched with a press event. In 2017 following a successful public appeal the only other surviving APT-P vehicle that was located at Coventry Railway Museum was acquired by the Heritage Centre and moved here in March 2018 and can now be seen around the museum.
The APT can be seen from Oak Street during the relocation project.
2002 | The official launch event of Virgin Trains new fleet of Class 390 'Pendolino' trains is held at the Heritage Centre next to the APT.
The InterCity APT in 2021 at the Heritage Centre.