GWR Grange Class

The GWR Granges were first introduced in 1936 to work heavy passenger and goods trains replacing less powerful designs with some of the new engines built using wheels, valve motion and tenders from withdrawn engines. 80 Had been built by 1939 when construction was stopped by the impending war.

All of the original class members were scrapped, the last active Grange being withdrawn from service in 1965.

6880 “Betton Grange”

The completion of No. 6880 “Betton Grange” is the culmination of 30 years’ work by a small and dedicated team to create what is the 81st Great Western ‘Grange’ Class locomotive.

The GWR’s standardisation policy has also enabled the Betton Grange Society to recreate a member of the Class, using standard parts, including a boiler, wheels and bogie from other locomotives, while the frames, cylinders, cab and fittings are all completely new.

Construction of the locomotive commenced at Llangollen and was completed at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham. The steamed for the first time in March  2024 and will undergo testing, running in and appear at a handful of special events before heading to Norfolk. 6880 is due to visited the NNR from 1 August – 2 November 2024.