The APT concept is still well advanced today even when compared to the current ECML Class 91 etc etc. Although the APT was originally designed for 140mph operation, even without the hydro kinetic braking being used, the regular brakes would not overheat as the driving cars used regenerative (Rheostatic) braking which was phased with the hydro kinetic system fitted to the passenger coaches. As for the tilt arrangement, it was used more importantly to keep the passenger coaches level on curves whilst maintaining a high speed. So hence I regard it even by todays current offerings over-specced, even though I stressed as mentioned in my original message "introduced a number of years ago"....
To be fair, the APT was a prototype and as such, is a test bed for a smörgåsbord of technologies, and only a proportion of which would ever be accepted into mainstream production, i.e. the IC225 and of course the APT was the genesis of the Pendolino too.
It wasn't overspecced, it weas designed to test novel concepts, and if a "yes" or "no" decision can be reached from the results of testing, then it's done its job.
Not meaning to argue over semantics, but a prototype is not specced as such, it's merely an instrument to spec a full production model.
