Six ‘N’ gauge Class 73s have been released by the retailer, including liveries not seen before on the Dapol model.
COMMISSIONED back in the spring of 2014, Gaugemaster has now received its batch of six different limited edition Class 73s from Dapol, each of the ‘N’ gauge electro-diesels being limited to just 150 examples.
Unsurprisingly, with such small numbers produced, the retailer sold out of the Pullman-liveried No. 73101 prior to release, this being produced in two versions with either its original Brighton Evening Argus nameplates or The Royal Alex’ replacements.
The remaining four Class 73s are therefore pictured here but even among these, No. 73142 Broadlands in its InterCity Executive colours (DAGM231) has subsequently sold out. The oldest of the six in terms of the period portrayed, the Royal train favourite received the colours in June 1985, retaining them for just shy of three years before gaining InterCity Mainline. Just prior to this repaint, it was renumbered as No. 73201 in February 1988.
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The livery application on Broadlands is much improved compared to the previous attempt at this scheme on No. 73134 Woking Homes, with a more accurate shade for the Executive dark grey and better stripe proportions. The Executive light grey is still on the pale side though, there not being a huge difference between it and the white stripe. The printing is generally fine but the etched nameplates and crests rather lack definition and straightness, while the loco should not have headlights in this livery.
Read more in the May issue of RE – on sale now!
