*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Electro-Diesels - Class 73 & Class 74
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Class 73
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Class 74
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Dapol Class 73 Modifications
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The Lima Class 73 is a fairly accurate model but lacks any fine detail. In an age before
the Dapol version, a fair amount of detail work has been carried out to make 73004 suitable
for use on Canada Street. This view shows it about ready for final painting. Further details
about this model can be found on the May 2009 Update page within this website (go via site map).
73122 - another Lima based Class 73 for Canada Street.
The Dapol version of the Class 73 is seen here at Hornsey Road. Despite its fine detail, there
were issues with the liveries and electrical pickups when first produced by Dapol, this particular
model E6018 having been modified and repainted from purple to BR rail blue. Further details
regarding the modifications can be found lower down this page.
Both having worked up from the Southern Region, BRCW type 3 number 6572 joins
Electro-Diesel (type JB) E6018 at Hornsey Road depot.
From the Eastwell fleet is E6044, another Dapol model hauling condemned 2-HAL units for breaking.
Class 74 Electro-Diesel is seen at Hornsey Broadway on a unfitted coal working. This model has
been produced by combining a Silver Fox body with Hornby Class 71 chassis & cabs. Further details
can be found on the July & October 2019 Update pages.
This Class 74 by Trevor Hale - E6016 is a DC Kits resin model and uses a modified Heljan Hymek
chassis. The whitemetal bogie frames will need a bit of modification to suit the changes when
the class were converted to Electro-Diesels. The 4' spoked wheels are from the Alan Gibson
range, and the tanks/battery boxes are resin parts which I've cut up into sections and added
extra detail. The roof is detailed using plasticard, with turned brass air horns from Markits.
Otherwise most everything else is standard, with nickel silver handrails and some buffer beam detail.
The arrival of Dapol's Class 73 Electro Diesel in a purple shade of blue.
The digital image doesn't show the purple so much, but in daylight and under
artificial light, the colour wasn't anywhere near the variety of blues that adorn the Hornsey
rolling stock fleet. A cocktail stick primed with superglue has visited most of the chassis &
bogie separately fitted parts, as they have a habbit of falling off without so much of a glance.
The body was treated to a blast of Railmatch BR blue from a rattle can. After viewing the lemony
yellow ends against the BR blue, these were also treated to a fresh coat of paint, extending
slightly around the cabsides. The etched roof grills were left in place, and the slight purple
hue can be seen after removal of the masking tape. The bodyside grills were plucked off and
resprayed separately.
With the chassis partially weathered, the existing wheelsets are seen assembled to EM gauge
having been slightly reprofiled in the lathe and extended on the existing axles.
The electrical pick-ups were proving problematic with the factory arrangement (wheel / axle
to a lubricated brass bush to a flimsy contact strip), so the supply wires
were soldered to a short length of .33mm brass wire (as shown below).
Having scored and roughed up the gearbox casing, the replacement pick-ups were clamped in place
and allowed to rest overnight in a blob of epoxy resin, allowing direct contact between the
back of the wheel and the motor terminals.
