Cylinder’s Pressure Tested
Published 3 October 2017 | 
This last weekend saw our team finish the pressure testing of the cylinder castings to 250 psi hydraulic. We can now proceed with drilling and tapping to prepare for the fitting of the pistons and valves. A big step forward in completing the ‘bottom end’ of the locomotive. Preliminary fitting of the cylinder cladding was carried out too.
AGM Day
Published 25 July 2017 | members who attended last weekend’s AGM at the Hand Hotel, were treated to a tour of Llangollen’s workshops to inspect 6880. The locomotive was looking its best before we start to strip it down for fitting of valves and pistons together with all the associated pipework over the next few months. The boiler will be lifted out too in preparation for the fitting of our refurbished boiler next Spring.
Member Geoff Morris takes the regulator
6880 on display at Tyseley
Published 27 June 2017 | what a great weekend we had at Tyseley with 6880 around the turntable with 3 Castles and a Hall. Five Great Western locos in a line. Our sales stand did good business and the team worked the collection buckets. Many visitors complimented us on our achievement bringing the locomotive build this far. To add to the display we borrowed the tender from 2885 to look even more like a complete locomotive.
Photo compliments of Phil Waterfield
More progress for Tyseley open day
Published 14 June 2017 | Again more progress on the fitting of the Boiler Barrel Cladding Sheets, including boiler bands in place. Painting progress in the cab for the Reverser Stand and Sanding Gear Operating levers. Thanks as ever to Chris and all the Working Volunteers for the superb efforts over the 3 days
Inside motion being fitted
Published 27 October 2016 | during the latest working weekend and as preparations for Warley continue our team started the assembly of the inside motion parts.
‘The following views taken within the frames show the Weighshaft, the eccentric straps and the expansion link.
TV Celebrity Mark Evans is new Ambassador for 6880
Published 19 October 2016 | It is with delight that we are pleased to announce that TV presenter Mark Evans has agreed to be our first and foremost Ambassador.
Mark has delivered a number of programmes on Channel 4 and Discovery including
An MG is Born
A Race Car is Born
A 4×4 is Born
A Chopper is Born
A Plane is Born
Mark is a vet by profession, but is a self-confessed petrol head and science explorer. He obtained his passion for engineering from his father and is very much a down to earth person. We expect Mark to visit a couple of events a year and promote us both on his website/social media and within his circle of family, friends and acquaintances.
Mark joined us at Llangollen on the 15th October and received a warm welcome from the 6880 directors who explained all aspects of the project to him. Ideas flowed as to how Mark could help us achieve our ambition of finishing 6880 within the next 2 years.
Check him out on www.markevans.co.uk
Member’s Day
Published 1 November 2015 | A hugely successful members day in Llangollen was enjoyed by nearly forty members who were able to view the progress made to the locomotive. The day was enhanced by the positioning of Willington Hall’s boiler alongside the locomotive ready for work to start on preparing it for eventual overhaul.
Earlier members enjoyed a film show charting the history of the Grange class including a video diary of the building of Betton Grange from 2004 to date.
lunch was taken on the train to Corwen and back hauled by 5199
MP visits 6880
Published 19 March 2015 | Stephen Crabb MP and Secretary of State for Wales visited the Llangollen Railway workshops on Monday and is seen inspecting 6880 Betton Grange and reading about our project. Guided by Dave Owen.
Driver Experience Day
Published 10 November 2014 | Sunday 2nd November saw a number of Express Members enjoying driving No. 3802 at the Llangollen Railway. Additionally they each received a Hornby model Grange re-named 6880 Betton Grange. These are some of the benefits of being an Express member ‘fast tracking’ 6880 towards completion.
Anyone interested in joining this scheme please contact us at enquiries@6880.co.uk.
Ian Sumbler being presented with his model before driving 3802
Paul Weston about to drive
Robin Matthews in the drivers seat
6880 at Gloucester Warwickshire Gala
Published 9 June 2014 | Our sales team were out and about again at the Gloucester Warwickshire Gala at the end of May
Max Trench, Charles Hiscock and Ian Sumbler look the part
