Dapol prototype HST
◆ GAUGE ‘N’ ◆ MODEL Dapol 2D-027-001 High Speed Diesel Train prototype twin-pack ◆ PRICE From £150.00 ◆ AVAILABILITY www.dapol.co.uk
The High Speed Train is not only one of Britain’s most easily recognised trains but it’s one of the most successful, and its 45-year reign as ‘Top Link’ power is only now just coming to an end. Not surprisingly, models of the HSTS have been produced by numerous manufacturers in both ‘OO’ and ‘N’ gauges over the years. But the prototype HST, in its attractive reverse blue grey livery, has never been produced in ready-to-run form before… until now.
Dapol teased us with the possibility of the prototype HST power cars at 2015’s International N Gauge Show, announcing that it was working with Project Miller, the group which restored National Collection 41001 to working order. The project then went quiet for a while, before Dapol relaunched the project, complete with coaches this time, but only if enough pre-orders were made. Happily, those orders materialised – and now the model is here.
The prototype power cars differ from the production versions in several areas; the most obvious external ones are that they’re shorter, the roof panels are different and that the front lacks that distinctive Kenneth Grange-penned nose; instead, the prototype has buffers, the rake angle is slightly less and the head and tail lights are enclosed within a taller front windscreen panel. The Dapol
model captures these characteristics very well and compares well with the prototype dimensionally.
All glazing is clear and the lights are very effective, being located behind the lower panel of the front windscreen. For the 1970s they should probably be more of a golden yellow colour than the bright white fitted, however this is a very minor quibble.
Above the windscreen the airhorn recess is open and the horns can be seen; when built these were hidden by a small grille but evidence suggests the power cars usually operated without the grille in place. Dapol has included pre-painted photo-etched grilles for any customer who wishes to fit them, which is a rather neat touch.
The reverse blue-grey livery with yellow ends is well painted. The BR double arrow symbol is, correctly, revealed by gaps in the blue bodyside band, rather than being a separately applied white symbol, as was normally the case at this time.
The bogies and underframe are very finely detailed and are coloured brown, as is correct for this version of the BR corporate image. Air tanks, control boxes and fuel gauges have been picked out in white and orange, and the
The bogies and underframe are very finely detailed and are coloured brown, as is correct for this version of the BR corporate image
wheels have cosmetic photo-etched brake discs fitted, adding an air of refinement. The RP25.72 profile wheels look very fine and the usual ‘N’ gauge coupling units are mounted in NEM pockets.
As well as the etched horn grilles already mentioned, Dapol has included numerous bufferbeam detail parts for the modeller to fit. Also included is a small sheet of waterslide numbers to allow the cars to be depicted as 252001 or 252002.
There were only ever two prototype HST power cars – and one of those was scrapped three decades ago – so most ‘N’ gauge enthusiasts probably never dreamt they’d see a ready-to-run version. Dapol is to be hugely applauded for proving them wrong with a fine model of a stylish, historic and visionary train.
Get your order in quick, for production numbers are strictly limited! (BA)