The Railway Technical Centre (RTC) is the research and development department for British Rail. Located in Derby with test tracks at nearby Old Dalby and Michelover, it was established in May 1964. It’s role being to undertake research into improving safety, revenue and operating costs for British Rail as well as finding ways to secure the future of railway traffic.
I have recreated a number of vehicles in N Gauge to not only compliment my APT-P project but also for my interest in the Woodhead route.
The following APT-P RTC Test Train kits are currently available:
| Code | Description | Formation | Cost | |
| RTC01 | 3-vehicle APT-P Power Car (Non-Driving Motor) test rake | Test Car 5 - APT-P M (dummy) - Test Service Car 8 | £100 | |
| RTC02 | 4-vehicle APT-P Trailer test rake | Test Service Car 9 + APT-P TFB-TS-DTS | £125 | |
| RTC03 | 4-vehicle APT-P Trailer test rake (with raised nose) | Test Service Car 9 + APT-P TFB-TS-DTS | £125 |
RDB998900 or RDB998901 - Drewry Car - £15 per vehicle |
OLIVE is one of two vehicles built by the Drewry Car Company in 1950 for BR overhead line inspection and maintenance on the Great Eastern electrification scheme and the Manchester - Sheffield - Wath (Woodhead) route. They were then transferred to the RTC at Derby for use on the overhead equipment on the Old Dalby test track. 998901 is now preserved by the EM2 Locomotive Society and is currently based at the Middleton Railway in Leeds.
The model comes as an unpainted 3D printed resin kit in 8 parts and is designed to fit on the Kato 11-103 or 11-109 motorised chassis.
Continue reading: RDB998900 or RDB998901 - Drewry Car "O.L.I.VE"
EM2 Locomotive Society: Operation Phoenix
In February 2016 the railbus OLIVE was extensively damaged in an arson attack at the Middleton Railway by 3 youths who set fire to her in broad daylight, totally gutting the vehicle. Luckily the alarm was raised in time for the Fire Brigade to put out the fire before it caused irreparable damage - although the interior was completely gutted and significant damage caused to the upper bodywork.
Olive’s owners, the EM2 Locomotive Society (UK Charity 294207), are now working with the Vintage Carriages Trust and have agreed a plan to restore her to working order. For that to happen they need your help!
While insured the overall cost of repairs will exceed the insured value by around £9,000 and they need to raise at least this amount to enable repairs to go ahead. If you are able to help please visit their website at https://www.em2ls.org.uk/operation-phoenix/ or click here to make a donation online using the Charities Aid Foundation hub.
Sc48204 - APT-D Test Coach (977527) - £40 |
A single unarticulated coach which will come with 2 couplings, a pair of BT12 style bogies, body, glazing and underframe.
You will additionally need 4 x Graham Farish blackened coach wheels to complete this kit.
ADB975051 - Test Car 5 - £35 |
Converted in 1972, it was used in the APT-P Power Car Test Train operating out of Derby, as such it had one end modified to couple directly to the Power Car, as did all of the Test Service Cars.
My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis,4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2745).
RDB975630 - Test Service Car No8 - £35 |
Test Service Car No8 was converted from BR Mk1 TSO 3011 and fitted with a generator for simulate the trailer car rake when testing APT NDM power cars and was based at the RTC in Derby when not in use. It was scrapped by BR at East Usk in September 1987
My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2748).
RDB975631 - Test Service Car No9 - £35 |
Test Service Car No9 was converted from BR Mk1 SO 3009 and used as a simulate the APT DNM power car for testing trailer rakes and was based at the RTC in Derby when not in use. It was scrapped by BR at East Usk in September 1987
My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2748).
RDB975002 - Laboratory 3 - £35
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Lab 3 was converted from a BR Mk1 RSO and was used as a support coach in the APT PoP Test Train.
My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of B5 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2713).
Continue reading: RDB975002 - Laboratory 3 - APT PoP Train Support Coach
RDB975422 - Laboratory 6 - "Prometheus"
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In 1975 a Mk1 BSK coach W34875 was converted into an electrical systems test car at Swindon for the R&DD. Known as Lab Coach 6 and numbered RDB975422, it was utilised for main line OHLE tests by the R&DD Electrical Engineers Section and originally based at Rugby but was eventually transferred to RTC Derby.
My unpainted kit includes Body, Chassis, 4x Oval Buffers and a pair of BT10 Bogies. Transfers are available from RailTec Transfers (2716).
Finishing off your models
Electra Rail (formerly Electra Railway Graphics) produce a wide range of vinyl overlays in both the original and revised APT livery, and also in some fictitious liveries including RTC red/blue, Virgin Trains red/black and GNER blue/red - to purchase the APT with included vinyls please visit the Electra Rail website at www.electrarail.co.uk for more information.
For those wishing to paint finish their models, waterslide transfers produced by RailTec Transfers are available for your APT-P kit for £6 a sheet.
Many of my other vehicles also have transfers available from RailTec Transfers, and, where known, these are detailed on individual model pages.
