BETTON GRANGE’S LLANGOLLEN DEBUT SLIPS TO 2021

Covid-19 has delayed this year’s anticipated debut of ‘Grange’ No. 6880 Betton Grange until 2021.

The new Collett 4-6-0 had just had its boiler lifted into the frames at Tyseley on March 17 when the lockdown hit, causing the cancellation of all volunteer working parties on the engine – although some members were able to work on components at home.

Working parties are expected to recommence on alternate weekends from mid-August, with social distancing measures including a maximum of four people. Tyseley staff have trialfitted its smokebox, which was expected to be fitted permanently as this issue went to press, following adjustments.

The 6880 Betton Grange Society still plans to take the engine back to the Llangollen Railway, despite the recent problems that have led to the closure of the line’s contract engineering business (SR508).

Said 6880 Society publicity director Paul Appleton: “We still see Llangollen as our host railway, and we have the agreement for the hire of the tender from the ‘2884’ [No. 3814] – most of the work on that is contracted to Llangollen Railway Engineering.

“But realistically, it will slip into 2021 now. August this year was the target, but we’ve lost three or four months – and it was always going to stay at Tyseley for a couple of months.

“Even if we took it straight to Llangollen, it’s not going to be on test trains until next year.”

With “several thousand pounds” raised following a recent newsletter, he added: “We’ve got funding in place to do everything we need – though not yet to build our own tender.

“The steam pipes to the cylinders have been made, and there’s not much more outstanding – it’s mainly labour now, rather than refurbishing or making parts.”