Rebuilt steam engine to make maiden trip on heritage railway

The East Somerset Railway, founded by the late wildlife artist David Shepherd in 1974, is gearing up for its 50th anniversary celebration - the biggest event on the heritage line to date.

Volunteers have now announced a star appearance for the gala celebrations on 16 and 17 March, as Britain's newest steam engine - 6880 Betton Grange - is set to make its maiden voyage on the railway after a 21-year rebuild project.

The 6880 Society started in 1998 when a group of steam enthusiasts decided to resurrect the 'Grange' class, after none survived being scrapped after the Beeching rail cuts of the 1960s.

Volunteer members raised £1.1million to rebuild Betton Grange using parts from other scrapped locomotives.

The majority of the rebuild has taken place at the Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham.

Grange locomotives were once a regular sight in Somerset, thundering down the Great Western Railway line carrying freight, and taking passengers on holiday to Devon and Cornwall.

A spokesperson for the Betton Grange Society said: "We're delighted that No. 6880 Betton Grange will be making its debut at the East Somerset Railway’s 50th Anniversary event in March.

"As a former Great Western Railway route, it is totally appropriate that members of the public will get their first chance to ride behind this unique locomotive at Cranmore."

Simon Bending, Business Manager at the East Somerset Railway, told BBC Radio Somerset: "We are thrilled to be welcoming Betton Grange to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on 16 March.

"Seeing the first GWR Grange to run since 1965 on GWR metals, along with our resident locomotives, will be an inspiring start to our 2024 season.

"It will be a very special moment for staff and volunteers when it runs here."

Volunteers are working every day on maintenance to make sure the line, which is closed in January and February, is ready for the new season.

Phil Wilson, 23, is one of the youngest volunteers and is part of the permanent way team that looks after the miles of track.

He said: "It's a big job this year as a fair amount of the track has come to the end of its life and a lot of the sleepers, which support the rails, have started to rot.

"As a charity, most of what people pay us to visit goes into maintaining the railway.

"One 60ft length of steel rail costs £1,200 and each concrete sleeper costs around £32 so it soon adds up."

The railway's signalling and telegraph team is working on upgrading the line so trains can use both sets of tracks and platforms for the first time simultaneously.

A heritage centre dedicated to the railway's founder Mr Shepherd has also been built on the second platform.

Business Manager Simon Bending said: "David's family have recently donated his old model railway to us too, so we will be spending the next few weeks installing that for people to see when we reopen."