it is 80 years since the first Grange Class locomotive was built at Swindon in 1936. To celebrate this event we are holding a very special day at Llangollen, the home of No. 6880 Betton Grange. Join us on this special day.

click the following link to download the application form to confirm your attendance.

Grange 80

STOP PRESS: Whilst aligning the left hand cylinder our Engineer Chris Moore discovered an anomaly with the axle boxes on the left hand side of the locomotive. The workshop staff at Llangollen Railway have confirmed this. Unfortunately for corrective action to take place this has required the removal of the cylinders along with the springs, Hornstays and Bogie to enable the Grange to be lifted off the wheelsets. The volunteer workforce have worked hard over the weekend to achieve this.
We are grateful for the co-operation of Llangollen Railway, with agreement and look forward to this corrective work to be done by them as soon as possible. It is hoped that the Grange will be re-assembled in time for our AGM (18th June) and we can resume in achieving our target of presentation for the various events this year culminating in the Warley Show at the NEC in November.

Could the following winning ticket holders please contact Liz McGuinness to claim their prizes

liz McGuinnes  07880 504519
1st prize 06291
2nd prize 06284
3rd prize 06221
4th prize 07776
5th prize 05576
6th prize 03541
7th prize 06693 – claimed
8th prize 06085
9th prize 07844
10th prize 04045
Liz McGuinness
Mobile 07880504519

6880 Betton Grange has been invited to be one of the centrepieces at the world’s biggest model railway exhibition, the Warley MRC event at Birmingham’s NEC over the weekend of November 26 & 27. This will be the first time the locomotive has appeared in public away from its Llangollen Railway base.

Our working parties are preparing the locomotive for display at Warley this November assembling all of the motion parts with the intention of finishing ‘the bottom end’ of the locomotive. Additionally the boiler from Cogan Hall will be mounted on the frames for the display period. In turn this will allow us to set out the pipe runs needed when Willindon Hall’s boiler is finally refurbished for use on the completed engine. Contribute now to our project. With your help 6880 Betton Grange could be steaming by 2018.

Please contact either

Quentin McGuinness – Chairman on 07989 396577

or

Chris Moore – Engineering Director on 07932 797791

6880 at Warley 27th November 2016

Volunteer Mick Prior completes the installation of our new appeal board on Llangollen station.

Help us Finish the Job

A pleasing and productive weekend, seeing 12 volunteers working mainly on the brake gear, preparing the loco ready to receive the brakeshaft, grease nipples being added to the brake hanger brackets and restoring brake stretchers. The front foot plating was primed and undercoated, and work commenced on installing the front sandboxes. Many Thanks to all Barry, Paul, Robin, Quentin, Bill, Lynn, Max, Rich, David, Dave, Desi under as always the direction of Chris. Lots happening and more to come. Next weekend in 2 weeks time

the draw of the raffle was carried out in Llangollen on Saturday 5th December by Lynn Moore and Liz McGuiness.

The results are

Hugh Shipton 1st prize euro star tickets
Charles Hiscock 2nd prize £68.80
Steve Beniston 3 red prize Malcolm Root Print
G Williams 4th prize afternoon tea on the train at Llangollen
L Weller 5th prize Don Bishop print
Mr Richardson 6th prize champagne
David Huntbatch 7th prize chocolate hamper
Gregory Smith 8th prize Talyllyn book

In anticipation of work being started on de-tubing the boiler from Willington Hall, a move has been made to lift it onto a low wagon ready to move it to Llangollen yard.

With the continuing success of the boiler appeal, it is hoped to be able to place the order for the work to commence in around 12 months time.

More work at the front end of the locomotive was carried out last weekend with the characteristic completion of the 10 bolt OXO section