Gas turbine powered tilting train APT-E (Advanced Passenger Train Experimental) of British Rail, built in 1970 at Derby and used from 1972 to 1976 for testruns, in the Locomotion museum in Shildon. The APT-E consisted of two driving power cars and two trailer cars. Each power car was equipped with four Rover-built Leyland gas turbines (and a fifth for auxiliary power supplies), these initially produced 300 HP each but were progressively uprated to 330 HP. Two GEC 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 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.
The worst of railroad design. Please, send me your entries / suggestions for the "Album of the ugly trains of the world" (past or present, paint scheme or shape).
