This weekend was the celebration of the original opening of the railway through Llangollen 150 years ago. So Llangollen 150 was an opportunity for the railway to hold a suitable gala. We had a sales stand at the event and our display featured, for the first time, a new tiered shelving unit topped with a wooden replica ‘Betton Grange’ nameplate made specially by member Dave Phillips.
The following departure times from Llangollen apply as shown below.
The full Gala Brochure includes the timetable and shows rostered locomotives. Available at £5 on the day at SSS3
Saturday 21st April, Friday 27th April and Saturday 28th April
Depart:- 09.00, 09.35, 10.15, 10.50, 11.30, 12.05, 12.45, 13.20, 14.00, 14.35, 15.15, 15.50, 16.40, 17.20, 18.05, 19.25, 20.20 and 21.50
Sunday 22nd April and Sunday 29th April
Depart:- 09.00, 09.35, 10.15, 10.50, 11.30, 12.05, 12.45, 13.20, 14.00, 14.35, 15.15, 15.50 and 16.50(does not run on 29th) Cavalcade runs at 17.20 on 29th only
Monday 23rd April, Tuesday 24th April, Wednesday 25th April and Thursday 26th April
Depart:- 10.00,(only runs Monday 23rd) 11.00, 12.10, 13.20, 14.30, 15.45, 16.55, 19.15, 21.45
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
The leaflet is also available in pdf form. Should you wish to receive it in this format click here
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.
The 6880 Betton Grange Society, pioneers of the ‘super gala’, have announced the dates for their next nine day extravaganza as being set for 21st to 29th April 2012.
Plans include a sumptuous line up of guest engines to supplement the Llangollen Railway’s growing fleet of residents, the first opportunity to travel along the extension towards Corwen, a beer festival at Llangollen, steam and vintage rally at Glyndyfrdwy and narrow gauge and miniature railway rides at Carrog.
An intensive timetable will operate on the weekend days, including Friday 27th, with special themed events on the four days in between.
The events are held to raise funds to help build 6880 Betton Grange. Last time enough money was raised to have the extension frames made, this time the target is to raise enough money to get the brand new cylinders cast and machined, which it is estimated will be around £60,000.
The last Steel, Steam & Stars event was in 2009 and was an outstanding success, receiving rave reviews in all quarters. This was one of the first nine day events to be staged anywhere, following on from the first event in 2007 which operated over two consecutive weekends.
Full details will be available here on the society’s website, and on the Gala web site with regular updates as guest locomotives and attractions are confirmed.
6880 news
Well it’s been a while….
But at last we seem to be out of the coma called the “Steel Steam & Stars II aftermath” it is time to get back into the groove, namely building 6880. We will again be spending time adding to what has been built so far.
There will be a full gala report in the next newsletter, and a web update, but I can say, yes it was successful, yes it raised a significant amount of money and without doubt raised the profile of Betton Grange and Llangollen Railway even further. The downside is lack of real progress on the construction of 6880 due to the Gala taking up so much time, but now we are in possession of a healthy bank account we can now make some progress, as I will now explain;
We are in the process of placing orders with Llangollen engineering to:
The extension frame drawing has now been finalised by Pete Simpson. Discussions are due to take place on methods of construction during the next few days. The original was a forging, and to adhere to the original it is is the correct method, but at a cost. Cutting it out of high-grade steel and fabrication may be a better present day alternative.
As soon as we have a clear path on the best route the order will be placed, but to assist with the speed of construction most of the components that fit round the extension frames have already been made or are about to be ordered.
We are putting together an order with Angle Ring in Tipton for all the curved sections of footplate angle (eight in all), also the last two pressings for the front dragbox. There are also a few other components on the list.
With a bit of luck we should have enough cash to finish the frames front to back, albeit without wheels cylinders or bogie.
Not a bad achievement considering it is ALL new.
As mentioned a while back now the NRM has given up all its drawing secrets we are in a much better position to be able to order what we need, when we need it, something that was not always possible even a short time ago.
We are looking to step up the progress at the working weekends as there is much input we can now make. No doubt I will be cracking the whip and requesting sick notes for lack of attendance!
The last working weekends have seen the cab dismantled as it is now in the way and needs to be in dismantled in order to be fitted. There is quite a bit of preparation work ready for September.
The sales and promotion stand is visiting the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry Great Garret Gathering, with Quentin, Phil Macey, Jon Kerr, Mick, Emma, Richard Cadge and myself. There is also a planned Members Weekend on October the 10th, more details to be announced as we put this together.
I hope this post addresses the balance of news, without a Gala to plan, run, and organise it leaves us with time to concentrate on what this project is all about, building the 81st Grange
Thanks for you patience and support.
Will Naylor
The Gala DVD is now available and can be ordered from Belhurst Productions via www.steam-railway-videos.co.uk, or through our shop.
The dvd has 4hr 45mins of footage! It consists of 2 main discs and a bonus disc and it is narrated by Danny Hopkins, editor of Steam Railway magazine.