A Look At – A New Model In The Making – Class 350 APT-P Model Scan

A New Model In The Making

 

Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 on a rather wet day we headed off to Crewe & the Crewe Railway Heritage Centre. We were visiting one of the exhibits there, the APT-P train. The preserved APT-P (Advanced Passenger Train) surviving vehicles are being restored by the Crewew heritage centre members & volunteers. The APT-P was the result of British Rail wanting to speed up & improve services on the WCML – West Coast Main Line. The APT-P was designed to tilt allowing for faster speeds through curves, whilst providing improved ride comfort.

For more details on this train & it’s history can be found here: http://www.apt-p.com/aptindex.htm

For details on the Heritage Centre visit this link here https://crewehc.org/attractions/apt-prototype/

 

DJ Models & Durham Trains Of Stanley announced last year that they are going to produce a model of this tilting train in both OO & N gauge. They’ve started a crowdfunding project to bring an all-new high spec super detailed OO scale model to market, more details can be found here: http://durhamtrainsofstanley.co.uk/my_store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=371

The model is being funded in stages as it progresses through each stage of production, with a percentage of the total cost of the model being taken from the customer at various points as the model progresses. With the first crowdfunding, target met a 3D scan of the real APT-P could now take place. The 3D scan will allow for a very accurate C.A.D. drawing for the model to be produced.

So with customers who have helped crowdfund this model, them & the DJ Models team gathered we watched the APT-P go through the process of being laser scanned. The scan accurately captures every detail of the real thing, right down dead insects splatted on the front of a vehicle!!  DJ models mentioned the scan also captures the detail of any dents & ripples in the metal work. These will be smoothed out by the laser scan team before handing over the 3D scan images to DJ Models. The scan team was also using a drone to collect details & images of the APT-P train roof.

 

MODEL DETAILS & SPECS

The model will feature the following:

• Working ‘Damped’ tilt mechanism
• DCC Next22
• DCC Sound ready with space for speaker
• Directional lighting
• Internal subdued coach lighting ( Controllable on DCC)
• Removable and posable nose with NEM coupling pocket on cab front bulkhead
• High Quality 5 pole skew wound motor with twin flywheels
• Us outline style drivetrain and gearing with train geared for 140mph
• Cab lighting
• Fully decorated interior throughout
• Correct pattern and color seats for 1st and 2nd class
• Limited Edition certificate
• Close coupling with non-gap corridor connectors
• Radius 2 compatible
• Dual power motor units for longer trains
• Etched steel windscreen wipers
• Separately applied parts including footsteps, door slider rails
• Flush Glazing
• Darkened profile wheelsets to RP25-110

The model will be available in the following:

• 5 car set with one power car
• 6 car set with one power car
• Two 7 car sets with one powered car & one dummy power car
• 10 car set with one powered power car & one dummy power car
• 14 car set with both power cars being motorised

DJ Models said that they are looking at late autumn next year for the release of this model, with 3D model planned for showing at the Warley Model Railway Show later this year. We’ll report back to the club on the progress of this project.

 

 

A LOOK AROUND THE APT-P

Full access to the train was given to the crowdfunders attending this event, so allowing us to explore & get to know the APT-P better. A demo of the APT-P tilt system was also given allowing folk to experience the tilt this train was famous for. One thing that you do notice whilst inside the APT is the profile of the coach sides. The sides angle inwards towards the roof giving a narrow profile towards the upper part of the coach. This was designed to allow the APT to tilt & keep within the tight British railway loading gauge. Unlike the Virgin trains Pendolino, the windows are much bigger.

The interior features tartan cover seating whilst seating in first class also reclines. First class also features individual reading lights operated by switches located on the table sides. Plastic-type mouldings feature heavily inside the train, with some seats in second class having folding dropdown tables. Part of the APT-P contains a small exhibition featuring models, photos, videos & information about the APT-P project & history.

The surviving APT-P vehicles are as follows:

• 48106 – Standard Class Driving Trailer – 52 Seats
• 48602 – First Class Coach – 2 seats. Other seats have been Removed
• 49002 – Power Car
• 48603 – First Class Coach – 25 Seats
• 48404 – Standard Class ‘Buffet Car’ – 14 Seats
• 48103 – Standard Class Driving Trailer – 42 Seats –This coach is used to give a demonstration of the ‘Tilting Experience’
• 49006 – Power Car – recently moved to the Heritage Centre Crewe

In the photos in the gallery below showing the interiors of the first & second class as well as the buffet.

In the next gallery below you’ll see the guards compartment (No internal CCTV here!!) as well as a look inside the driving cabs. In one photo you’ll see that the front nose section has been lifted up over the windscreen to reveal the train front end couplings. Thus giving the rare view from inside the cab with the nose end open.

In the next gallery below you’ll see inside the power centre located power car as well as the equipment/plant rooms behind driving cabs.

In the last gallery below you’ll see various shots of the APT-P Vehicles, including access steps lowered for crew access.

Were you lucky enough to of ridden in the APT-P, comment below what your experience was like riding this train? Do you have any photos/video of the APT-P when it was running? If you have, post them in the comments box below.