Unboxing & Running the Rapido Trains APT-E

It's been less than two years since Rapido announced the iconic APT-E. In that time it's been designed, developed, tested, manufactured and shipped to my door. If only other manufacturers could manage timescales as quick as that!
It's a fantastic piece of kit even though its doesn't fit the era of my layout. Very happy I placed an order back in 2014.

[@sjp52047]

Richard, you are one very lucky man. The fact that it was successful in negotiating your layout is a testament to how well planned out your layout is. That is a very unusual yet lovely train. Congratulations. Regards, Solomon

[@richardbaker1782]

Love the '70s theme music, at the beginning!

[@MrMentalackack]

This popped up in recommended, thoroughly enjoyed the video and your enthusiasm. Subscribed!

[@vinnygolia1596]

Congrats Richard! I cannot think of any other layout where this model would look so much at home. Really lovely all the way around.

[@sionlewis827]

Really impressive the way they modelled the inside of the carriages.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Nice video of a classic train. The experiments for this were carried out on a disused line near us in Derby and its amazing that we later bought trains back from countries we put all the work into development of.

[@hovermotion]

fantastic review. .and editing. fits well into your system.

[@bahnspotterEU]

Love the recreation of the news broadcast at the end. I've seen the original one here on KZbin.

[@Z_eroR]

0:23 nice shot of the inside radars and switchboards! Keep it up Everard

[@oliverkirkby7759]

I was the very first member of the public to ever test drive this during its design and release phase. It was just typical as I happened to be operating the right layout at the right time!

[@recycledmodelrailways8655]

brilliant review, liked the old broadcast bit at the end and the 70s music.

[@vwgolfer1873]

Well done video man love the different shots of the APT-E around the helix and other tight spots of the layout. Thanks for sharing this

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

A fantastic model, commanding silly prices on eBay now. Kit Spackman, who worked on the actual train has been writing an in-depth history in DEMU UPDate magazine recently. The engineers who worked on it were from aviation industry originally. There is also a link to the pacer units,as they developed a new wagon suspension and wheel profile for high speed. That wagon chassis formed the basis of lev1, the first pacer prototype.

[@Zebrails]

I fully understand this was just over four years ago, but for some reason I feel proud that you got and own this train... I do watch your videos and am Never bored! John western Canada p.s. I am a owner and great fan of Rapido products.

[@ralphdadge302]

sits nicely in your layout, just by going on your voice it sounds like you are very pleased with the new APT-E. look forward to seeing on some high speed test runs.

[@MMRails]

Man, that intro music brings me back. Great video as always.

[@RightWing1]

The main Leicester to London line came through Wigston South junction, and the APT-E used to regularly come by and we could watch it from our school playing fields. It was a fantastic sight back then in 1974/75 due to its futuristic looks and that's what got me into model railways. Back then the regular class 20's, 31's, 45's, 46's, 47's were a spotters heaven.

[@daviemaclean61]

Very interesting train and a rarity to treasure. Remember it well from Tomorrow's World and other science programmes! Gawd I feel old!

[@vectorbrony3473]

I'm a avid steam locomotive fan but this is still one of my favorite train sets. It looks so modern and futuristic and it's so good that it has been saved.

[@siraujus101]

Amazing new addition to your track. Looks fantastic running and so glad the over hang has no real issues on your layout. great review, Thanks for sharing.

[@Calvertfilm]

Great beginning. And I totally agree with your views on sound. Like smoke effects they give the scale of the model away and make it look small. Just my view. Laurie.

[@DudleyCentral]

That's a really nice looking train! The quality is incredible. I look forward to seeing what they come up with on the Prototype HST. I like what you did at the end with the 70s voice over. Cheers, Joe

[@JamesStJunction00]

Great looking train, excellent buy. A very nice addition to the fleet. I liked the voice over at the end with the colour being subdued. Thanks for sharing. Steve

[@soundseeker63]

Superb looking machine! Possibly the best interior detailing of any 00 gauge RTR model. I'm quite surprised about the price, and the orders. I'd have thought it cost more, and that they would have gotten more orders for them! I can imagine they will shoot up in value as time passes. Here's hoping they will do an APT-P too!

[@Pipixcan69]

I was a kid in the 1970's who lived in a little village called Tollerton (South Nottingham) and I used to see them testing this APT-E train quite regularly on the track that goes over the Melton Road (Just South of Wheatcroft Island). It sounded amazing.

[@Martindyna]

Excellent video and model. I love the smooth operation when stopping & starting in particular 19:26 and the working signals of course.

[@whitemoor66]

Thanks for putting this video up. I also ordered a sound version of the APT-E but have yet to received it, and was getting a bit worried. This video just makes me want it to be delivered now! Good tip on the wheel back to back measurement too.

[@tonywilson4704]

A fine looking model of a train that,even today looks futuristic.

[@robyork1538]

Great review and video Richard. Love the 70's music and news clip at the end. I bet you enjoyed that break from the shed Windows :) Keep them coming.......

[@1BCamden]

Everard Junction is starting to set the benchmark for others with this quality of review, best wishes

[@saberpeep]

I love that little audio clip at the end

[@wernersievers3153]

Hello Everard .A very nice train with lots of details (roof, side, cabin, bogies), I like a lot!

[@patmcdermott4832]

Impressive model. Remember seeing the real one when at Hendon running on the East Coast Line. Really jaw dropping looks for 1970's and that gas turbine sound! Also saw the original GT3 Gas Turbine loco at Crewe late 50's early 60's like a huge steam loco in brown livery with cream lining. Great model and video. Thanks!

[@scotsoft29]

A very good review of this technical marvel and it looks beautiful as it goes round your layout. Thanks for your time and afford in making this video 😋

[@Willowfs4472]

Great review, I like the additions you added nice touch .

[@tonderen1615]

Great review especially with the music and sound under it. The start tune almost reminded my of that from "The Thunderbirds", really well done!!!!!!!!

[@StuBar2]

The greatest locomotive that never was. Excellent! Plus I now know what a back-to-back issue is too!

[@johnDukemaster]

You, my good man, are a true artist! :-) Clever you!

[@realiroh3208]

That's an understatement.

[@Lennon6412]

Top video as always! Looks a great model and they seem to have a good sense of humour :D

[@2KXMKR]

Ahh the "Thunderbird train". Or at least that's what i called it when i was younger. Looks like something taken straight out of the Thunderbirds. That is one stunning model though. Looking forward to seeing what else Rapido has to offer.

[@bertmurphy8096]

The front/rear ends look like K9 from Doctor Who!

[@cyborgbadger1015]

Its definitely of that era. I thought so too.

[@skydiamond8705]

It does to

[@scorpionwolf9729]

No it does not, it looks like a APT-E

[@tomelms8712]

very nice model there Richard, seems like an absolute steal at that price, with all that detail. Cheers, Tom

[@callumnicolson9984]

Great video with beautiful editing. Fits well on your layout, can't find an excuse for one on a privatisation era layout

[@douglasayers1485]

The best train company in the world

[@LucyMichela]

£325 well spent my friend, good quality, and brill sounds (even with the overly loud generator) Great vid, new sub :D

[@foxtrotscenerydesign]

Looks like something straight out of Thunderbirds, great video and an amazing kit!

[@NorthernSoulExpress]

This was definitely a nice change from shed building, great review, sounds are better on it than other models.

[@CHESEABUN]

That is a nice set! Love the internal 70's computer bank inside. All you need is men in white lab coats to match? Regarding DCC sound. I see what you mean. The way I hear the loco sounds is that it is a scaled down sound. The bottom end bass sound is missing from the sounds. Personally I love the DCC sound. It's what brought me back to build a layout and a return to the hobby. Richard

[@BladeRunner21577]

Watching this with the APT-E running I remembered where your tunnel layout reminds me of, its the track north or Watford Junction where to slow lines break off from the fast lines

[@carmium]

Rapido as in Markham, Ontario?! If so, I had no idea they were casting their net so broadly! I definitely concur with your comments on diesel sound. A friend and I unpacked a Rapido complete VIA Rail passenger set for a custom railroad we were working on. The revving and rumble of the diesels was amazing, but had an undeniably high-pitched, tinny sort of timbre that, while entertaining, couldn't replicate the sound you would hear from a real locomotive at similar scale distance.

[@DeanPark]

Nice! Not like you to opt for the sound option? I got one too, with the extra trailer car (I dont know why as the original never used one). My one is sound too, I will be running it once the ballast on the new sections of my layout is dry!! Cant wait! Dave

[@EverardJunction]

+DaveClass47 Cool. It will look very nice running on the raised area at Dean Park. Cheers

[@skydiamond9846]

What the music I want know

[@slaughterround643]

@@skydiamond9846 What the music I want know

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

cracking video as always. I didn't know BL were involved in the production of the real loco, surprised it ever started on a cold morning with one of their engines running it.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

The APT certainly was ahead of its time! Cool that does Tilt :-)

[@DungeWoodRailway]

Hi Richard Super video, looks a great model on your layout even if its not your era. Its definitely all about the speakers when doing dcc sound but as you say the APT doesn't sound at all bad. Its about time you did another running session too... Cheers

[@ReddwarfIV]

+Dunge Wood I did wonder about that. I think I discussed the APT-P with him once in one of his video comments, and he said that wasn't his era. I was surprised to see the APT-E appear as an Everard Junction video.

[@Bruno.Trains]

PERFECT !!! Great shots and very nice films :-)

[@southwalesrailproductions8748]

Great video Richard out standing loco very highly detailed keep up the good work. Jordan

[@Lawrence5987]

A great review of one of Britain's finest engineering concepts-even though now a foreign company has taken up the mantle of producing this amazing model! I totally agree with you on sound decoders. I have amasses quite a fleet of loco's and I only have two with sound. One was dirt cheap on ebay and the second was an experiment in fitting it to my class 50 Vanguard. So overall, I don't think sound decoders are worth the price for what is poor sound quality when you can buy another locomotive for the same price. Keep the vids coming!!

[@harryjames8064]

best detail ive ever seen on a model loco if not a model anything

[@michelegianni389]

A really wonderful train and model. I would like to see it running at full speed on a one hundred meters layout, but it fits perfectly on Everard Junction!

[@misteryreviewer1426]

Looks amazing, so far ahead of its time.

[@Joe-iv5ks]

Thunderbirds are go.... Rails Of Sheffield have just announced a second batch, got my name down, great video!!!

[@chorleyjunction2191]

''THE AGE.......OF THE TRAIN''.. another lost entity from our railway's, but looks fantastic

[@TerryD15]

Hi Richard, I missed this video, but really enjoyed it as I just missed getting one of these due to my procrastination. However just to make you jealous perhaps, I used to pass this train almost weekly in the mid/late 70s (sometimes more often) parked at the Holowell run round loop at the Melton Mowbray end of the Old Dalby test track where it sat on a high embankment next to the road, but in those days it was unpainted and ran in its shiny aluminium glory and really looked like something that would have not looked out of place at Cape Canaveral Pity the APT which followed fell foul of the cuts in the 80s.

[@Sillardmanduke]

omg, the apt-e looks amazing

[@4468]

That's a fantastic looking model, it really is stunning; I love all the detail :) Not too sure on sound locos, had my finger hovering over the mute button for a while as there's something about the pitch that's headache inducing for me. I'd have still gone for the full bells and whistles version too at least you can turn the sound off :)

[@impy1980]

I was delighted to see you get the APT-E, and damn does it look awesome on your layout, some very tight tolerances too hehe. It's such a shame the government and BR put the brakes on the APT, especially when you look at tilting trains today, it was so far ahead of its time. Loved the video as always, been really enjoying the shed build.

[@EverardJunction]

+Mark Morris Thanks

[@newcastlerabbit]

Great review,luv the ending.

[@davidhyde4329]

Amazing model, looks great on your layout.

[@rgmichel]

Great. Thanks for this very interesting video. Mine has not been delivered yet, but I am looking forward to it even more now. Like you, this is totally out of my time period, but I could not resist it. Its not particularly pretty at the front end, but it is an historic train, like the more beautiful Blue Pullman. I am certainly interested in how the model manages the lean, and I am delighted that the sound and lighting are good. I ordered the additional trailer car, and can't wait to have the full set running around my tracks.

[@ZXGuesser]

Oooooh, very envious. The APT-E is my favourite train.

[@terrier_productions]

ZXGuesser both the APT-E and -P are both my favourite HighSpeed trains

[@pongomutley]

Unfortunately when your in your late 60's two years can be a very long time to wait. I placed my order just before the cut off point so my wait was not so long. Yes the instruction manual is dead amusing but it puts you in the right frame of mind for the task of coupling the cars together. Yes they are a struggle, but I found that applying a tiny drop of Bachmann's fine plastic oil to the yoke and pivots of each coupling section made the parts slip in quite nicely. I used a diabetic syringe obtainable from any dispensing chemist, ( It helps if you're a long standing customer, then they will know that your not a druggie ) The only thing to be wary of are the multi pin sockets. This is the first ready to run model that I have bought that ran straight from the box, it needed no adjustments or tweaking. I bought the non sound model, I tend to agree that there is nothing like the sound of the real thing, remember the Class 55's Deltic's, now there's a sound to behold.

[@jprp999]

I just got one of these, the instructions make it sound like a nightmare but it is not that bad to set up at all, looks absolutely amazing on the layout. Not for the club though, home running only.

[@jamesrice21]

Just watched three videos on this. B.R. footage in a documentary, IC82's review and now yours! What a coincidence to all be uploaded in such close proximity of time! It is a great model though, it is a shame I missed out...

[@keyd99]

what a lovely layout and Cool Video well done.

[@Damocles178]

My goodness even now in real life this train still looks more modern and futuristic than anything running on the network so far. She's certainly an amazing model. The details just immense.

[@Damocles178]

*BTW Gary Stevens would like to know what the models length is. I'm actually curious myself. :)

[@user2C47]

I like the use of the signal override

[@adrianpreston5245]

Rapido did a fantastic job on this, i will have to look them up.

[@MaxSupercars]

Beautiful train and model! 😊

[@kylegordon]

Looks fantastic! Looking forward to receiving mine next week! :-)

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Great presentation of an excellent model

[@BritishRail60062]

Looks like a great train pack. But it looks quite fiddly and tricky to put together for me as I might break something on it. So I will take a pass. However I would love to see Rapido Trains produce a new Eurostar model in OO with the extra articulated coaches and perhaps a brand new Class 92 model with cab lights and an illuminated dashboard as well the other trimmings like this train has. As I do like the lights and the illuminated CPU's inside the APT-E model.

[@TONYNORTHEASTERN]

excellent model well worth the £325. very smooth running. detail as you say is fantastic. thanks for sharing the video & info.....................regards tony

[@railwayhonza]

Great intro with the 70s music. Maybe I will do something similar

[@FarlandHowe]

Great review. It really screams out for little figures working the test equipment.

[@edforcer1340]

An excellent acquisition and very trick.

[@gonefishingtwo]

Very inspiring, it's absolutely brilliant thank you for sharing

[@sergeanttj3810]

The front end and rear end of the train sticks out a ton. When it went through the helix it barely missed the one support board

[@michaelhicks]

that is a very nice model it looks and sounds fantastic.

[@MrVinnyh]

super model Richard, great video as well

[@Pinza007]

Excellent and well put together review - thank you

[@spooky0187]

Excellent video, thanks Richard.

[@markwhite8390]

I'm sure you have been tempted to get one of those 56s fitted with sound.... I assure you, you wont be disappointed... do it !!

[@jdsgotninelives]

260 km/hr on full chat!!! That would have been a sight to behold.

[@goodisonroadmodelrailway6798]

Nice video Richard - looks great on the layout and very close to those walls when it takes corners - but you'd planned for that - right? Hahaha - enjoy it mate - cheers JC

[@wysiwygsd]

Nicely done. Perhaps in a future video you could show the detail in the other car - looks like it has passenger seats in it. I would also like to see the tilting mechanism on a higher speed track. Goodness, that just misses the wall in a few places!!! Thank you very much.

[@richiesquest3283]

What a superb job rapido have made of that, regret not ordering one of these especially @ that price. What a shame they couldnt sort the problems out with this for BR.

[@GreyTheFloydianSergal]

even though this is half the time, this review is so much more thorough than IC82s video! It's a really cool looking train & it's a massive shame the APT project didn't get beyond the prototype stage. Saying that though, can we please have a modern model of the APT-P? That would be so cool

[@nicolaiitchenko7610]

Fantastic addition to your collection but am surprised that you didn't run it just the once and then box it again for about a year...like the unions did in 1972. Looking forward to seeing it running on the new Everard Junction...makes minimum radius curving interesting. Guess it won't ever make the industrial areas or the wagon/motive power yards. :) Luckily, my test track (high level inside workshop) has 1200mm minimum radius on the run and very long, home-built turnouts for the exits from the test line. (Can usually run a loco and/or carriages for a couple hours without too muck bother...

[@AndyHudson-ModelRailwayBuilds]

Looks great Richard, really nice bit of kit, you must have ordered yours early to get such a low number, still waiting for mine to arrive, will chase them tomorrow I think. Will you weather yours, in anyway, or keep it out the box, the other thing I think it needs is people, all that detail flashing lights needs the scientists and engineers monitoring the screens, but no one seems to have added people, it's the only thing I think was missed of this train by rapido. Looks great bet you are very pleased with it. Andy

[@EverardJunction]

+Andy Hudson Thanks Andy. It could use some figures at the controls. I'll probably do that at some point. As for weathering i'll be keeping it pristine at the moment. The real thing was kept very clean during most of it's life.

[@granthardy2813]

Affirmative master you have control of the Generation Game and seem like a nice boy.