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Class 370 Advanced Passenger Train (Prototype)

Designed to run as pairs of six-car articulated units with two power cars in the middle of the formation, these electric trains featured active hydraulic tilt to allow higher speeds on curves.
Three complete trains were ordered to run on the electrified West Coast Main Line between Glasgow Central and London Euston.

370005 pokes its nose out of Shields Depot. Photo by JimGillies

Forty-four vehicles (38 Trailers and 6 Power cars) were built at Derby Litchurch Lane works, from 1977 to 1980.
The vehicles were numbered as follows:
- 48101-48107 - Driving Trailer Second (DTS)
- 48201-48206 - Trailer Second (TS)
- 48401-48406 - Trailer Restaurant Second Buffet (TRSB)
- 48301-48306 - Trailer Unclassified (TU)
- 48501-48506 - Trailer First (TF)
- 48601-48607 - Trailer Brake First (TBF)
- 49001-49006 - Non-Driving Motor (M)
The DTS vehicles carried set numbers 370001 to 370007 on the nose.
Power car 49003 carried the name 'City of Derby'.
The home depot for the APT-P trains was Glasgow Shields Electric Traction Depot.
Each vehicle had the Scottish Region prefix 'Sc' before the number.

An APT-P set was first seen in Scotland when 3-car trailer set 370001 and power car 49003 were present at the Glasgow Shields Depot Open Day on 16th & 17th September 1978.
The first powered APT-P run took place from Glasgow Shields depot (to Carstairs) on 26th April 1979, comprising sets 001 and 002 with power car 49003 in a 3+1+3 formation.
By July 1979, main line testing was underway between Glasgow and Carlisle, with two power-cars in 3+2+3 formation.
370001 & 002 were exhibits at the Glasgow Central Centenary Day on 5th August 1979.
On 20th December 1979, sets 001 and 002 set a new British rail speed record, reaching 162.2mph near Quintinshill.

370005 was the first operational 6-car trailer set noted in April 1980, paired with set 001
From the end of July 1980 a full 14-car (6+2+6) formation was run with sets 005 & 006.
370006 was an exhibit at the Glasgow Works Open Day on 27 June 1981.
From the end of July 1981 a full 14-car (6+2+6) formation was run with sets 006 & 007.
The launch into passenger service in December 1981 used 370006 (with 370002) in 6+2+2 formation.
After March 1983, 370007 was the only operational 6-car trailer set. The other sets were shortened.
During 1984 regular running between Glasgow and London with passengers restarted, to evaluate passenger experience, initially with off-duty BR staff and families.
From 1st August 1984, travel by APT was available to the fare-paying public, on relief services: 08:02 Glasgow Central to London Euston, and 16:30 return.
On 12th December 1984, 370007+370006 (running as 6+2+2) set an new London-Glasgow speed record, completing the northbound run in 3 hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds, despite an unscheduled stop near Stafford.

Class 370