NEW-BUILD ‘GRANGE’ No. 6880 Betton Grange is to make its public debut at the Battlefield Line in February.
The replica Collett 4 ‐ 6‐0 has been announced as the third locomotive for the Battlefield Line’s Winter Steam Gala on February 3/4, appearing alongside a pair of ‘Large Prairie’ tanks: Didcot Railway Centre-based ‘5101’ 2 ‐ 6‐2T No. 4144 and the 5199 Project’s No. 5199. The latter is currently on loan to the Leicestershire line, having moved there from its West Somerset Railway home for the Battlefield Line’s festive services during October (SR551).
Betton Grange – which is being built as the 81st Collett ‘68XX’ and uses the Swindon Standard No. 1 boiler from ‘Modified Hall’ No. 7927 Willington Hall – is rapidly nearing completion at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Speaking to Steam Railway just before Christmas, 6880 Betton Grange Society publicity director Paul Appleton said: “There isn’t much left to do on 6880, just a bit of pipework, painting of the locomotive and the tender from No. 7822 Foxcote Manor, then pairing these up. There will be a test steaming at Tyseley first thing in the New Year. It is hoped to steam the locomotive for members and supporters on January 13 (to be confirmed) behind closed doors and, after a week or so running up and down in the yard at Tyseley, will move to Battlefield later in January with a view to load testing.”
Appleton added that while Betton Grange is pencilled in to appear at the Battlefield Line gala, “there is a strong caveat that ‘Betton’s’ appearance on trains will be subject to passing its various testing and being signed off. At the very least, it should be in steam within the station confines.”
The society had hoped to steam Betton Grange for members in early November, but this had to deferred “only because painting the locomotive properly at this time of year is challenging,” Appleton explained. “The first attempt had to be aborted owing to the conditions inside the shed, with paintwork blistering when drying. We’ve had to employ some space heat
