Operation of the Kingsbridge branch requires 2 small prairies for passenger duties, one based in Kingsbridge and the other arriving during the day to cover the busy period in which a train runs in each direction at the same time. There is also a need for a third small prairie to run with the second loco above on an Exeter Plymouth working based on a memory from gwr expert John Lewis of a double headed 4575 power.

The first loco was renumbered a while back to 4582, a frequent visitor to the branch which has been included in photos in one of the Brent books. This was a straight renunber of the Bachman model, and now sits awaiting purchase of a small DCC decoder to be fitted.

The second was on the bench this evening, chosen to be a Newton Abbot 4500 class 4526 to give an it of variation in tank design. First up the Bachman printed number plates had to be removed (they are huge!). This was accomplished easily with microsol, as were the numbers on the ends. Plates from Coast Line models were then painted and fitted to the cabsides along with the usual HMRS transfers for the numbers.
A bit of damage to the black paint on the footplate was repaired (the perils of eBay), and it now joins its sister at the top of the decoder queue.

There is still further work to be completed, 4526 was incorrectly modelled with portholes on the cab front (why on a post war loco when Bachman have the correct cab tool!). Fortunately I am sure I have an etch somewhere that just needs a coat of green paint)
Secondly is the GWR logos on the tanks, the Bachman printing is a bit rubbish. The density of colour is poor, and they seem a bit too big. They will be removed on both locos and replaced with the HMRS version. Furth r detailing, coal, lamps etc will be completed in phase two along with the rest of the fleet.

So that is everything numbered for which I have the parts. The remaining 4 locos (plus 4025 for which I still need to find a reasonably priced Hornby Star to buy) have just been ordered from Narrow Planet, very good value at £3 unpainted (but not quite as good as Coast Line were!). Looking forward to their arrival, to finish off numbering the 72xx, 42xx, 51xx and 28xx (and hopefully the Star!)