Bachmann Steam 32-131A GWR 4575 Prairie Tank 5526 GWR Green (Great Western)

Unveiled in the Spring 2022 British Railway Announcements, we are delighted to present the Bachmann Branchline GWR 4575 Class Prairie Tank as No. 5526 in GWR Green livery with Great Western lettering.

The Great Western Railway has long been a favourite subject amongst railway modellers and the Bachmann Branchline 4575 Class Prairie Tank is sure to be a valuable addition to the motive power fleet of any GWR-based layout. With its fine lines and beautiful livery, this Branchline model is assembled from countless components to produce a highly detailed model which reflects all the character of the prototype. With No. 5526 now preserved at the South Devon Railway, this model is sure to be a popular addition to the Branchline range.

MODEL FEATURES:

• Bachmann Branchline OO Scale
• Era 3
• Pristine GWR Green (Great Western) livery
• Running No. 5526
• Accessory Pack
• NEM Coupling Pockets
• Sprung Buffers
• Powerful 3 Pole Motor
• Equipped with a 8 Pin DCC Decoder Socket – recommended Decoder item No. 36-566
• Length 150mm

4575 PRAIRIE TANK HISTORY

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 4575 Class is a Small Prairie Tank locomotive which was built as a continuation of the 45XX Class. The key difference between the two Classes is the 4575’s increased water capacity of 1,300 gallons, some 300 gallons more than the 45XX and housed in larger tanks which are distinguished by their sloping top at the front end. This increased capacity added 4 tons to the weight of the locos when compared to the 45XXs, with the 4575s tipping the scales at 61 tons. Built at the GWR’s Swindon Works, exactly 100 engines were constructed between 1927 and 1929 and these were numbered 4575–4599 and 5500–5574. These would be the last of the Small Prairies built to the 45XX/4575 design.

Designed for branch line operation, these charming little engines were an everyday feature of the West Country scene and in the early-1950s, a small number were fitted with auto apparatus to work push-pull trains in the South Wales valleys. With the introduction of diesel traction, the first 4575s were withdrawn in the mid-1950s, however this process was drawn out over many years and four survived until December 1964. With many of the Class ending up in Barry Scrapyard after withdrawal, the 4575s became easy targets for preservationists and some 11 examples survive today.