
6880 ''Betton Grange (CAB)''
The
Great Western Railway (GWR) '6800 Class' or 'Grange Class' was a class of steam locomotive. 80 were built.
The Granges were rebuilt from
4300 Class 2-6-0s, using the wheels and motion from those engines. World War 2 stopped this programme however and only 80 were rebuilt from the 300 strong 4300 Class. They were effectively a smaller-wheeled version of the
GWR Hall Class.
GWR also built a lighter version of the Granges, the
GWR 7800 Class, known as the Manor Class.
The Granges all fell victim to the cutters torch and none made it into preservation. The 6880 society (based at Llangollen) Are recreating the next Grange that was due to be built by the GWR. Betton Grange is currently under construction at the
Llangollen_Railway.
Details
6880
Betton Grange
Preservation
Although none of the original 'Granges' survived in to preservation, there is the exciting
6880 Betton Grange Project already under way to build the 81st Grange.
6880 ''Betton Grange'' is being built at the Llangollen Railway using the boiler from
Modified Hall Class 7927 ''Willington Hall''.
New frames have already been cut and the
cab of 6880 completed.
The status of parts obtained is shown here.
Status Diagram

StatusDiagram.jpg

CABsmall.jpg
The completed Betton Grange Cab on display at 'The Great Gathering', Crewe Works, 2005.
Photographed by Craig Tiley.
External links
★
Great Western Railway Archive entry on the 6800 class
★
Railways on line entry
★
Website of the Grange Project