APT-E 'reconfigured' at Shildon

[Dougal2345]

Saw this in the Railway Magazine recently:

APT-E reconfigured as a three-car set at Locomotion

THE gas-turbine-powered Experimental Advanced Passenger Train (APT-E) was

pocketmags.com

The gas-turbine-powered Experimental Advanced Passenger Train (APT-E) was reduced from four to three cars, outside Locomotion, Shildon on March 29.
This was the practical beginning of a project planned for months, the reconfiguration of the prototype train. For 19 years, if asked about moving it, the answer was always ‘No’, but the NRM team and Allelys have made this possible. NRM ‘Gronk’ No. 08911 and the on-hire BEAZ M001 road-rail shunter brought up from York (RM Dec. p76), helped with the operation.

Out of interest, has the now-separated TC1 been left outside for now, or is the whole thing back undercover? Did the shunting and separation all go smoothly? (I recall the last time it was moved, it was a general cock-up by the NRM, using hacksaws and so on, until they got some advice from the experts). Any videos of the move around?

Couldn't find any other information on-line, the old APT-E website looks to have been abandoned for a few years now.

Did find an NRM video though, which is interesting (although it could have shown us a lot more) - and nice to see some 1970s APT-E film that looks to have been re-scanned in HD.

Is the interior accessible to visitors to Shildon at the moment?

[off topic - I see you can see the APT-P tilt (if it works) at the Rail Riders show 10-11th June!]

 

[Peter Mugridge]

A picture was tweeted the other day showing the 4th vehicle is inside the shed and being used to explain the workings of the train.

 

[Dougal2345]

A picture was tweeted the other day showing the 4th vehicle is inside the shed and being used to explain the workings of the train.

I have to admit it hadn't occurred to me to look on the Twitter.

I couldn't find the post you mentioned, but there were a couple of posts about the reconfiguration:

https://twitter.com/LocomotionSHD/status/1640670701924352000?cxt=HHwWgIC82fHT6sQtAAAA

It's a fascinating few days for us as we reconfigure the APT-E in its correct formation in preparation for our new display layout later in the year. One of the most complicated moves we've ever done and we need to keep both visitors and staff safe. We'll be open from 10.00 and closed from 14.30 instead of 16.00 on Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March. Thank you for understanding.

https://twitter.com/LocomotionSHD/status/1641739150297636865?cxt=HHwWgoC9teLD0MgtAAAA

This week's work to reconfigure the APT-E into a three-car set has now been completed. As a result, we'll close at our usual time of 16.00 today, Friday 31 March.

 

[33117]

Have they ever opened up the interior of the APT-E?????

I'd love to have a nosy inside it, been in the APT-P at crewe but whenever I've visited shildon it's sadly never open. Looks a really futuristic train this & from photos that appeared previously the interior looks very interesting.

 

[DustyBin]

Have they ever opened up the interior of the APT-E?????

I'd love to have a nosy inside it, been in the APT-P at crewe but whenever I've visited shildon it's sadly never open. Looks a really futuristic train this & from photos that appeared previously the interior looks very interesting.

I've been inside it. They open it up so that volunteers/staff can show people around; this only seems to happen occasionally though. I can confirm that it is very interesting!

 

[Lemmy282]

Yes, been inside once, if you like 1970's electronic kit it is a real trip back in time!

 

[Dougal2345]

There's a letter from Kit "Mr Tilt" Spackman in the latest Railway Magazine, that along with some details of the reconfiguration, mentions that "current NRM policies prevent the public from entering any part of the train"

 

[tumbles]

There's a letter from Kit "Mr Tilt" Spackman in the latest Railway Magazine, that along with some details of the reconfiguration, mentions that "current NRM policies prevent the public from entering any part of the train"

From talking to one of the chaps who helped move it, the engine room has asbestos in it, not sure how accurate/truthful this is thou.