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Gaugemaster Collection - N Scale Class 153 Super Sprinters


Gaugemaster Controls
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The British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinters are single-coach railcars converted from two-coach Class 155 diesel multiple units in the early 1990s. The class was intended for service on rural and branch lines where passenger numbers do not justify longer trains.

 

In 1987/88, Regional Railways took delivery of 35 two-coach Class 155 units built by Leyland Bus at its Workington factory to replace older DMUs. In 1989, the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (WYPTE) took delivery of seven two-coach units for use in Yorkshire. After the Class 155s entered service, it became an emerging requirement for ageing rural and branch line trains to be replaced. In the early 1990s, British Rail decided to convert the Regional Railways Class 155 fleet into single-coach multiple units and to replace its fleet of Class 121 and 122 diesel railcars.

 

In 1990, British Rail awarded a contract to Hunslet-Barclay with the work completed at its Kilmarnock plant in 1991/92. Seventy single-coach Class 153 multiple units were created and numbered 153301-335 and 153351-385. Individual coaches are numbered 52301-335 and 57351-385 (originally 57301-335). The seven WYPTE Class 155s were not included in the project.

 

The layout of the original non-cab ends was different from the original cab end, so the ends are noticeably distinct, and the vehicles are not symmetrical. Their maximum speed is 75 mph and they generally operate less busy local services. They are fitted with standard BSI coupling and are able to work in tandem with other multiple units.

 

This limited run model produced for us by Dapol features:

  • Finely detailed body with many extra fitted items 5 pole Super Creep Motor with excellent controllable slow running speed
  • All wheel drive (in motor equipped units) and all wheel pick up
  • Directional lights (switchable)
  • Light bar ready
  • DCC Ready with provision for a 18 pin decoder

 

Due December 2020

 

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GM2210401 Class 153 329 First Great Western Revised

£124.95 each

 

GM2210402.jpg.c65d1012423960c2248f0e089c2e794e.jpg

 

GM2210402 Class 153 380 GWR Green

£124.95 each

 

Prices correct at time of publication

Edited by Gaugemaster Controls
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  • 1 year later...
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They are indeed, in fact we have just had a new sample of the First Great Western version, which has further details added compared to the previous sample. Dapol have said that they are most likely to arrive with us end of January/start of February next year - dependent on international shipping.

 

P1170044.JPG.d52e55132d0d1f552f799cc5671fa783.JPG

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 04/11/2021 at 13:39, Gaugemaster Controls said:

They are indeed, in fact we have just had a new sample of the First Great Western version, which has further details added compared to the previous sample. Dapol have said that they are most likely to arrive with us end of January/start of February next year - dependent on international shipping.

 

P1170044.JPG.d52e55132d0d1f552f799cc5671fa783.JPG

The further details are a nice improvement. Have Dapol corrected the shade of yellow to match the GWR green one? It looks decidedly light in the first sample pictures and nothing like any of the approved shades of yellow that can be used on UK railways, but the green one has a decent shade of yellow.

 

Jo

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  • 8 months later...

First Great Western ones have arrived - I'm surprised no one has mentioned this? Mine looks good (with the usual tooling limitations) and runs well.

 

Any updates on when the GWR green one will appear?

Edited by fezza
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I notice that the GWR variant has two holes beneath each cab window where the cab face grab handles would otherwise be….

 

At first I thought this was a mistake, but looking at photos on Flickr of the appropriate unit in question, it does seem the handles were absent in GWR green…. I just don’t know how I feel about having four very conspicuous holes in the cab front….

 

it might have been nice if they had come up with some manner to fill them; even by using a plug from the inside for example….

 

Anyway, it might be a moot point, because when I test ran several examples (five I think!) of the new batch earlier this week at my local model shop, they all ran like a bag of old spanners. Bit of a shame, but I guess that’s £106 I can save….

 

I don’t expect much [by way of quality in N gauge] from Dapol these days, so I’m less easily disappointed when my expectations are low to begin with…. sad but true…. and it is a shame because we know they they can produce moments of real quality [68].

 

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That's odd because my First GWR one runs very well and you would think both liveries would use the same chassis? Anyone from Gauge master card to comment as I was just about to order a green one too!

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