Inspired by @toboldlygo's  effort on “A Nod to Brent”, I have dug out my model of 4855 to get it finished off. 

Previously I had cleaned up and painted the 3d printed oil tank for the tender but not done a great deal else, so the loco still needed more detail on the oil tank (pipework), renumbering, along with cab side modifications.

Renumbering was a simple job, the loco hadn’t been varnished after I previously renumbered it so the etched plates were prised off with a scalpel and the end numbers came away with water (to be replaced with some HMRS transfers).  I still haven’t got round to ordering the number plates yet, but they will eventually be included in a Narrow Planet order along with plates for 4700, 7427 and a plate for Brent Signal Box.

The next job was to add the cab side shutters, looking at photos they look very similar in size to those fitted to GW tank engines (which given the GW’s love of standard parts makes a lot of sense.)  This was very helpful in that I already had a pair of etches from a scrapped Churchward Models 45xx.  Again looking at photos it appears the cab side handrail was lowered by about a foot to clear the shutter (see the below extract from one of Norman Lockett’s photos in Great Western steam 1934-49).  With the positioning worked out, the etched was glued to the body over the top of the window and the handrail refitted into lower holes.   Following the advice of @The Stationmasterelsewhere on the forum that the shutters were only closed when lighting up, they are modelled in the open position.

Not visible in the photos is the U shape pipe at the rear of the oil tank.  Given the high price of 3d printing coupled with the amount of work needed to clean up the end product, I decided it would be easier to just make it myself from brass tube.  The only problem is that I am not sure of the length, working from photos I have made two versions and will decide which looks best before gluing in place.

I now need to add the sludge pipe, along with other valves and pipes on the cab end of the tank (a possible job for this evening).   I am also planning to give the whole thing a coat of GWR green to get rid of Hornby’s terrible effort.  I don’t want to spend ages trying to paint match to that green, so it will be easier just to fix the whole loco.  (The safety valve bonnet should be green as well for 4855 so that can be fixed at the same time .

Edit: not sure why the cropped images are showing so large, will try and have a look to shrink them later.  all be it a tricky task working with an iPhone.