GWR 6800 Class

The Great Western Railway (GWR) 6800 Class or Grange Class was a mixed traffic class of steam locomotive. All 80 were built at the Swindon works.

The Granges were rebuilt from 4300 Class 2-6-0s, using the wheels and motion from those engines and were intended to replace the ageing 2-6-0s. World War 2 stopped this programme and only 80 were rebuilt from the 300 strong 4300 Class. They were effectively a smaller-wheeled version of the GWR Hall Class. In service they were reliable performers. Due to their mixed traffic status and their power, they could handle most jobs on the network.

GWR also built a lighter version of the Granges, the GWR 7800 Class, known as the Manor Class.

The power classification of the 'Grange' class was 5MT, the GWR power class was D and the route availability was RED.

Preservation

No engines were preserved. However, GWR 6880 "Betton Grange", the next Grange that was due to be built originally, is being built at Llangollen Railway. [ [http://www.6880.co.uk 6880 Betton Grange Project] ]

Details

References

External links

* [http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_grg.htm Great Western Railway archive entry on the 6800 class]
* [http://www.hmilburn.easynet.co.uk/enthuse/steam/locos/gwr/6800.htm Railways on line entry]
* [http://www.6880.co.uk/cms/ Website of the Grange Project]