Gaugemaster Collection: Class 73's

[talisman56]

the GM2210202 - E6039 Electric Blue is a JB - and is not in Electric Blue. Only E6007-16 were in the early EDL Blue, and that was a different shade of blue to 'Electric' Blue as on the AL series locos on the WCML. The rest of the EDLs (E6017-49) came out in standard BR Rail blue.

From E6017 onwards (those outshopped in BR Blue) had the numbers in Rail Alphabet font

This picture is from 1967 showing the numbering of E6039


Picture copywrite Chris Mills on Flickr


The Gaugemaster model has the original font used by British Railways

Yes, they've got the number font wrong as well. You have to get photos of your loco at the time you want to model it to get it right. I have a photo of my E6009 in original blue livery and it has British Rail font (as in the E6039 image above) and no double-arrows, hence:

[Mark]

To clarify some points in previous posts:

the GM2210201 - E6003 Green model is a JA - Dapol have previously produced this model with the same number and livery as a Special Edition for Signal Box Models (Kent), and as 73 001 in Rail Blue with FYE in the Cargowaggon train set.

the GM2210202 - E6039 Electric Blue is a JB - and is not in Electric Blue. Only E6007-16 were in the early EDL Blue, and that was a different shade of blue to 'Electric' Blue as on the AL series locos on the WCML. The rest of the EDLs (E6017-49) came out in standard BR Rail blue.

Thanks very much for sharing this information. 

Did any JBs carry Electric Blue with arrows and original BR Font or is the livery a complete (mis)invention?  What about numbers up to E6006? Just wondering if a simple number change might solve the problem or if it needs a new colour and font. 

Mark

[talisman56]

E6001-06 were JA's and were introduced in Green with grey solebar line, no yellow panel, British Railways Carriage Roundel and British Railways font. E6001 had the yellow panel originally but it was painted out soon after. All of them got SYP later on. They then went straight to Rail Blue with full yellow ends, double arrows and British Rail font at first major overhaul.

E6007-13 (JBs) were introduced in the lighter blue (not Electric Blue, which was even lighter) with grey solebar line, small yellow panel and British Railways font, most of them had double arrows, but E6009 for one had at some time the British Rail font, and no arrows until someone noticed... These later received Rail Blue with full yellow ends and British Rail font.

E6014-49 (JBs) were introduced in Rail Blue with small yellow panel, double arrows and British Rail font, receiving full yellow ends later. E6018 ran experimentally with full yellow ends which wrapped round to the leading edge of the cab door between mid-1967 and mid-1969.

All the EDLs were originally outshopped with roof painted white (or very light grey).

With respect to the Gaugemaster E6039, the image on their webpage looks deep enough to be Rail Blue, which will make it OK, but it needs running numbers in the British Rail font. If it's in the lighter blue, then it needs a grey solebar stripe and can be renumbered to one of E6007/08/10-13, using the same font.

EDIT: I have finally been able to get hold of my reference materials and have been able to calm my querolous mind regarding the cut-off between the livery batches of the JBs. Corrections are in bold above.

[Ted]

Quick newb question, are GM models manufacturered by them or are they rebodied Dapol or Farish?

[talisman56]

As far as I understand, Gaugemaster have bought the patterns, moulds, etc., off Dapol and are using these to source their own production, or Dapol are using these to manufacture the models on behalf of Gaugemaster.

[RailGooner]

Is it not simply a case of Gaugemaster commissioning Dapol to "make me X number of models, of loco Y, in (exclusive to me) livery Z"?

[talisman56]

It could be, but there was an official reply on the Dapol Digest forum which said that while they could produce either variant in OO, in N the JB production were exclusive to Gaugemaster. The follow-up question that Gaugemaster had purchased the JB tooling was not refuted. It appears that this has now been extended to the JAs.

[talisman56]

Some images to illustrate our predicament 50-odd years later, where colour pictures were then a rarity and memories are failing...

E3028 in what I remember as 'Electric Blue' in 1960 - E3050 and the one at the other end are in a darker shade, or a trick of the light?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93456400@N04/15734898347

E6009 in 1966 - definitely not 'Electric Blue' but is it a lighter version of Rail Blue (see the cab front, which is more the colour I remember as the light EDL blue)?



E6012 in 1967 - note the British Rail font. This looks like Rail Blue, until you see the colour of the 4TC behind it - and that should be in Rail Blue. This photo is very dark.



E6018 in 1967, showing its experimental livery.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glevumblues/6498743257/in/photostream

[daveg]

KMRC are also offering the 73s.

Here's the green livery version:

http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/60507/GM2210201-Dapol-Class-73-Electro-Diesel-Locomotive-number-E6003

Five quid (ish) more than Colletts.

Dave G

[Newportnobby]

Rails are showing £84.50

[violets49]

Looks like a nice model and the price seems reasonable. (In comparison to other recent models) I was passed by a 73 ambling along the G&PJR in the Glasgow Direction on Wednesday. From whence it came, I know not. Normally they are only seen around Central station or Polmadie. I'll maybe just wait until the 'Caledonian sleeper' version comes out!

[Newportnobby]

Anyone know if Jan 2019 is still on for availability or is it just another Jackanory tale from the manufacturer? My wallet urgently needs to know

[Newportnobby]

Anyone know if Jan 2019 is still on for availability or is it just another Jackanory tale from the manufacturer? My wallet urgently needs to know

I got in touch with Gaugemaster whose response is...............................


    Dear Sir,

    These have now unfortunately been put back to March, whilst we carry out changes and check to ensure the best model we can.

[daveg]

Hope they don't keep you waiting Mick but my Royal Alex was very late and I made several 'where is it?' type enquiries over best part of a year. The availability info was from what Dapol had told GM.

Consolation was that it's a really nice loco when it finally did get here and the original price was held.

Dave G

[Newportnobby]

I just hope it doesn't whine loudly like 95% of my Dapol locos do, as that just makes me whine loudly