Any details on the forthcoming Gaugemaster exclusive Class 73s?

[Railwaygun]

I've just had. Shock - Gaugemaster rang to remind me that I ordered a Pullman 73 in April 2014, and would I like to update my card details And pay for it?

I was so surprised I did as I was told and am shortly to become the proud possessor of this rare ( and much delayed) beast!

[Bob G]

I just got my invoice from Gaugemaster regarding my class 73 order. They are ready to be shipped out. Bob

[daveg]

Mine (Royal Alex) has arrived and looks good to my untutored eyes.

It's been a bit of a wait but pleased it's here.

A touch of oil as instructed before a gentle run in each direction; a little stiff and jerky but I let it run for 20 minutes and it seemed to free up at medium speed. Not too good a very slow running but hoping it'll improve over time.

All I need now is the Farish Castle and that's me lot - well until the next 'must have' comes along! 

Dave G

[Pete @ EGLM]

Gauge master have them (apart from the Pullman) on their stand at Model Rail Scotland.

Pete @ EGLM

[Bob G]

I got my 73142 Broadlands today.

Its going back. I could have lived with the livery being a different colour match to the earlier 73s in Intercity livery, and the colours not matching with Dapol's Mark 3 coaches in Intercity livery.

However, Broadlands NEVER had a front headlight. There are plenty photographs to work on to get this right!

Disappointed Bob.

[bluedepot]

I cancelled my 73142 as well.

Im not ultra fussy and I thought about just repainting the lower bodyside but decided I'll put the money towards a class 33/1 instead. I have some 73s already but no class 33s.

I think gaugemaster and dapol should have checked this. If they couldn't have removed the headlight they could have offered an intercity loco that did have it fitted, or just gone for another livery, maybe dutch or all over grey...

I know it's relatively cheap for a dcc ready new loco but still I think 70 quid is still quite a bit of money for a loco that would need adjusting...

Tim

[jonclox]

Ive actually got my 3 after a long phonecall to them.

Unfortunatly I had ordered 2  "Brighton Evening Argus" instead of one of each pullmans so if anyone cares to swap 1 Im happy to.

[Railwaygun]

ive had the body off mine - changes from the original Dapol 73 pullman

plastic chassis cf alloy body
DCC socket fitted
single head light only - old model lights up the lights between the windscreens as well

a nice runner though.

pics to follow.

[Bob G]

ive had the body off mine - changes from the original Dapol 73 pullman

plastic chassis cf alloy body
DCC socket fitted
single head light only - old model lights up the lights between the windscreens as well

a nice runner though.

pics to follow.

It is the DCC chassis developed originally for the Signal Box 73/0 and seen in subsequent versions. You also have NEM pockets which you didn't have on the originals.
They changed the pickups on the body too which convey power to the headcodes/lights.
Shame about the headcodes. Mind you I have a 73001 and that doesn't have headcode lights either. Am going to see if this is just a pickup problem or part of the design.

Regards
Bob

[Shiney Sheff]

I notice a few have suddenly "popped" up for sale on a certain website, is this due to pure speculation that the price would go up, considering there is not that many about, or are they selling because of all the faults/differences between the new and older versions??

No malice intended, just curiosity.

[Bob G]

I notice a few have suddenly "popped" up for sale on a certain website, is this due to pure speculation that the price would go up, considering there is not that many about, or are they selling because of all the faults/differences between the new and older versions??

No malice intended, just curiosity.

You are only seeing the Pullman ones listed on this basis. This is because the Pullman versions sold out quickly when first produced by Dapol in 2005. They still hold a high resale value. They are not DCC ready, but the new ones are. However, £250 is a little steep for a new one. Having said that, the guy selling them has sold two of them at that price (or best offer) already, and another guy has a third listed at that price.

There is nothing intrinsically wrong with any of the 73s produced other than the headlight not being appropriate and the beige colour being too light on Broadlands.
The DCC ready chassis is plastic and lighter than the alloy chassis of the original design. The DCC ready chassis was introduced in 2007.

HTH
Bob

[daveg]

Here's mine:



Dave G