Precision Locomotive Developments is in the process of producing an add-on for Train Simulator Classic depicting Great Western Railway (GWR) Grange Class No. 6880 Betton Grange.

The add-on is being produced with the kind permission of the 6880 Betton Grange Society Ltd, and Precision Locomotive Developments will make a donation to the society from sales of the add-on towards the upkeep of the locomotive.

The GWR Grange Class was a mixed-traffic class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives built to replace the GWR 4300 Class 2-6-0 tender locomotives. Eighty of the class were built at GWR’s Swindon works between 1936 and 1939, using some reconditioned parts from withdrawn 4300 Class locomotives.

Construction of 6880 Betton Grange was completed in 2024. The frames, cab, and cylinders were all new constructions, with the casting and machining of a new pair of cylinders estimated to have cost £60,000. Like previous members of the class, other parts came from donor locomotives.

The boiler came from GWR Modified Hall Class No. 7927 Willington Hall, which was restored to operational condition with the help of a £225,000 donation following an appeal. The driving wheels came from GWR 4300 Class 2-6-0 No. 7325 on a long-term loan agreement from the Severn Valley Railway Society; they were re-tyred with new tyres at the South Devon Railway. The front bogie has been borrowed from GWR Hall Class No. 5952 Cogan Hall after being restored at Williton works on the West Somerset Railway.

After completion, Betton Grange was attached to various tenders, with the latest being a 3500-gallon Churchward tender from GWR Manor Class No. 7822 Foxcote Manor. The intention is for the 6880 Betton Grange Society to construct a new 3500-gallon Collet tender for permanent attachment to Betton Grange.

Release details for the Betton Grange add-on are not yet available, as it is still a work in progress.

The 6880 Betton Grange Society has agreed that 6880 Betton Grange will be based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, but will also spend time at other railways, such as earlier this year at the Severn Valley Railway.