Virgin Trains

Tilt trains meet
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date 16 June 2002
source Virgin Trains
type Press release

Virgin's new Pendolino went to "meet the family" at Crewe today when 390006 Mission Possible drew up alongside the newly-painted, first generation Advanced Passenger Train (APT), now a resident at The Railway Age.

Over the past few weeks the APT has been refurbished under a sponsorship deal between Virgin Trains and Pete Waterman's London & North Western Railway Company, which has carried out the restoration work on Britain's first tilting train.

The APT has been exhibited at The Railway Age museum, Crewe since 1988 and can be viewed from passing trains on the West Coast Main Line. The exterior condition of the train had seriously deteriorated and, with media interest in the APT gaining momentum during last year's inaugural run of the Pendolino, there was a need to restore the train to its former glory.

Pete Waterman said: "I was delighted that Virgin Trains recognised the contribution the APT made in developing the tilting train concept. The APT was an important development in our history and the partnership between Virgin Trains and London & North Western Company has provided a very visible reminder of the link between the APT and the Pendolino."

Chris Green, Chief Executive of Virgin Trains said: "This is an historic week for the West Coast. The APT- the father of tilting trains has been restored to its original glory. The first Pendolino has started test running between Manchester, Crewe and Stafford: and it has now found time to meet the family at Crewe for an historic photograph with the restored APT."

Pendolino 390006 Mission Possible was the first train to be accepted by Virgin Trains on Friday 14 June and this is its first official duty.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

53 tilting Pendolino trains are now under manufacture at ALSTOM's Birmingham factory for Virgin Trains. The first train will enter passenger service in time for the Commonwealth Games in July.

The Advanced Passenger Train was ahead of its time in the 1980s when it achieved a UK speed record of 162mph and a record journey time from London to Glasgow of just 3hrs 52mins. The three APT test trains were finally abandoned in 1987 and it was left to Sweden and Italy to evolve this UK invention into commercial production.

The Advanced Passenger Train (APT) was developed by British Rail for use on the electrified West Coast Main Line in 1977. After trials and a brief period in passenger service, the APT was used for development of the next generation of electric locomotives and rolling stock for BR and was withdrawn in 1987.

Some of the APT vehicles were moved to The Railway Age, Crewe on 15 June 1988 for preservation.

Full details on the APT and its role at The Railway Age, Crewe can be found on the website: www.therailwayage.co.uk/apt

Railhub Archive ::: 2002-06-16 VIR-001