Back in 2010 I made a start on improving a Vi Trains model of 47768 in RES livery, it has had my usual treatment being fitted with Extreme Etchings roof grills, Maygib wheels and screw couplings. It has also been fitted with the pipe which runs across the roof grills on some 47s.

Unfortunatly when I painted the new grills area with Phoenix RES grey, it was a completely different shade to the RTR finish, which is where it stayed until last night.

While painting some wagons, I noticed the grey was pretty close to the 47s roof so gave it a go. With the roof looking a lot better I have made a start on weathering the sides, using a mix of Valijo paints brushed on and wiped off.

Its now pretty much ready to go on the airbrushing pile...

There is one issue with the model, it came with the depot plaques printed on the cabs, the only way to resolve which was going to be respraying the cab sides. So for the moment it is fitted with etched replacements limiting the loco to 1996.