SSS3 12 sided leaflet now available
Published 16 December 2011 | 
The 12 sided leaflet carrying the full information for SSS3 has been printed for distribution across the country. The leaflet includes the booking form for ticket purchases. If anyone is able to distribute these to local railway societies or at preserved lines then please send a request through this website.
Individual copies can be obtained by sending an SAE to
David Huntbatch
22, Brisbane Quay
Eastbourne
BN23 5PD
The leaflet is also available in pdf form. Should you wish to receive it in this format click here
‘Dog Legs’ Rivetted
Published 16 December 2011 | On Monday 12th December the task of rivetting the ‘dog leg’ spring hangers to the frame was undertaken, as these pictures show
6880 at Wigan Finescale Exhibition
Published 12 December 2011 | One of the mini-stands was out again at the Wigan Model Railway Exhibition last weekend. Good numbers of SSS3 leaflets were distributed and funds raised through the sale of merchandise.
Here volunteer Barry Jones poses for the camera.
A video tours of the Frames
Published 9 December 2011 | Click the link below to see progress on the frames at Llangollen
Frames on 4.12.2011 (http://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=iWechPn7WHc&feature=youtu NULL.be)
Footplating receives primer paint
Published 6 December 2011 | On December 4th Quentin McGuinness and Richard Pumphrey were to be found adding green primer to the footplating before the sheets are bolted into place.
New Racking Plate Takes Shape
Published 1 December 2011 | The paid staff at Llangollen Railway Engineering have been busy this past week. A new racking plate has been made and is ready for fitting. Holes have also been opened out to the correct diameter in the mainframes for securing the dog legs. Pictures by Dave Owen.
Above: The new racking plate for 6880
Below: Opening up the holes in the frames for securing the dog legs
Frames are getting painted
Published 25 November 2011 | 
Today at Llangollen Mick Prior continued the work of painting the frames. The insides are in Venetian Red the correct colour for Great Western locomotives, whilst the outsides are of course black.
Betton Grange at Warley Show
Published 25 November 2011 |
Our mini-stand was used at the Warley Show last weekend with Quentin manning it on the Saturday and Paul Johnson on the Sunday. It was next to the Hornby stand with Paul Appleton in charge. We distributed many leaflets about SSS3; there being great interest in the event.
Seven Guest Locomotives amongst the ‘Stars’
Published 22 November 2011 | As at 21st November 2011 the line up of locomotives for next April’s Steel, Steam & Stars III event looks like this;
Visitors
Standard Gauge;
BR(ER) ‘A1′ class 4-6-2 No. 60163 Tornado
BR Standard ’7MT’ class 4-6-2 No. 70000 Britannia
Ex-LNWR/LMS ‘G2a’ class 0-8-0 ‘Super D’ No. 49395
Ex-LNWR/LMS ’2F’ class 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ No. 58926
Ex-GNR/LNER ‘N2′ class 0-6-2T ‘Suburban Tank’ No. 1744
Ex-CR/LMS ’812′ class 0-6-0 ‘Caley Express Goods’ No. 828
Narrow Gauge;
TR 2′ 3″ gauge Fletcher Jennings No. 2 Dolgoch
Residents
Standard Gauge;
BR(WR) 78xx class 4-6-0 No. 7822 Foxcote Manor
Ex-LMS ’5MT’ class 4-6-0 ‘Black 5′ No. 44806
Ex-GWR ’2884′ class 2-8-0 ‘Heavy Freight’ No. 3802
Ex-GWR 64xx class 0-6-0PT No. 6430 (on auto trains)
BR ’4MT’ class 2-6-4T ‘Passenger Tank’ No. 80072
Ex-GWR ’5101 class 2-6-2T No. 5199 (in BR black for first time)
Ex-GWR ’5101′ class 2-6-2T No. 4141 (subject to completion of overhaul)
Blue 828 joins Steel, Steam & Stars line up
Published 22 November 2011 | Subject to final contractual arrangements, the 6880 Betton Grange Society are delighted to announce that they now have agreement for ex-Caledonian Railway McIntosh-designed 0-6-0 ‘express’ freight locomotive No. 828 to attend its Steel, Steam & Stars III mega-gala to be held at the Llangollen Rialway from 21st to 29th April 2012.
The 1899 veteran, normally to be found at the Strathspey Railway in Scotland, is wintering at the Severn valley Railway where some bottom end repair work is to be carried out, signalling the possibility of a number of gala appearances south of the border prior to returning home next spring for the main summer season.
Chairman Quentin McGuinness said that “this is really the icing on the cake, the sixth standard gauge guest locomotive in what really is a stellar line up. We had targeted 828 when we first started planning the gala, but the costs of bringing her down from Scotland were prohibitive. But with the engine staying in England following its appearance at the SVR’s Autumn gala, everything has changed and we are very grateful to the Strathspey people for making this all possible”.
No. 828 joins celebrity ‘Pacifics’ No. 70000 Britannia and No. 60163 Tornado, ‘Super D’ No. 49395, newly restored ‘Coal Tank’ No. 58926, ‘N2′ No. 1744 and Talyllyn Railway No. 2 Dolgoch as one of seven visiting locomotives, whilst ex-GWR large ‘Prairie’ No. 5199 will be appearing for the first time in BR black and sister engine No. 4141 could make its return following a full overhaul. ‘Black 5′ No. 44806 and fellow Llangollen residents Nos 6430, 7822 Foxcote Manor, 3802 and 80072 will also be putting in appearances over the nine day event.