New-build Grange class locomotive 6880 “Betton Grange” is to stay at the North Norfolk Railway until the end of November.

The locomotive came into service earlier this year and has been a popular attraction at the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) over the summer.

It will be in action again between Holt and Sheringham later this month and up until mid-November, hauling a number of special services.

Throughout Half Term, beginning over the weekend of 22nd-24th October, and then for the whole week until 3rd November, “Betton Grange” will be pulling special Poppy Line services.

The newly-built loco is also lined up for the NNR’s exciting science-themed weekend HALLOW.S.T.E.A.M. between 30th October and 2nd November.

Education company Mad Science will be providing all sorts of hands-on STEM activities for children at Weybourne station and budding young scientists can steam in behind “Betton Grange”.

Visitors will be able to ride the NNR all day, riding on special trains hauled by the latest addition to the Grange class, as well as by the tiny 0-6-0 saddle tank ‘Wissington’.

For a more relaxing ride, fans of 6880 will have to opportunity to travel behind her whilst enjoying a three-course lunch on the 3rd and 17th of November.

“Betton Grange” will make her final appearance on the NNR on the 15th, 16th and 17th of November, when she launches the heritage line’s ‘Norfolk Lights Express’ services.

Running on a number of evenings until the 4th of January, these feature illuminated trains and line-side displays to capture the spirit of winter.

When she leaves the NNR, 6880 will head to Leicestershire as a highlight of the Battlefield Line’s festive events.

Styled on the GWR 4-6-0 Granges, “Betton Grange” has been a labour of love for the 6880 Society for over thirty years.

Despite eighty Granges once being in service, none of the GWR class survived the scrapyard after the last one was withdrawn in 1965.

6880 was built so that the class would not be forgotten. It is loaned to heritage railways to give enthusiasts the opportunity to once again ride behind a Grange.

For more information on all of the events featuring “Betton Grange”, and everything else going on at the NNR this winter, you can visit their website.

We are delighted that ‘Betton Grange’ will be staying in Norfolk for a few more weeks giving more visitors the chance to ride behind this truly unique locomotive. She has proved extremely popular on our summer and autumn services and her presence will be an added bonus for passengers on these special trains.

Graham Hukins, NNR General Manager