Following the tours, the plan was to get down to the West Somerset Railway for a bit of diesel action with Class 35 Hymek D7017 on booked services today, so you can imagine the surprise and delight, when we were informed the Hymek would stay on the rear of the 12.30 departure, as another locomotive needed to hitch a ride to Minehead….

None other than the BRAND NEWBUILD GWR Grange 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ appeared from Westridge to head the one way trip top and tailed with the Hymek the full length of the line, to get the steam loco in Minehead for some light maintenance work ahead of its formal entry into traffic at the WSR next week. The Hymek then returned solo on diesel service trains, but more on that later.

With the train formed, needless to say it was a no brainer and I wasted no time in getting a ticket, bagged the front window, and what followed was 20 miles of 21st Century GWR bliss! Fantastic surprise and a cracking trip both ways, can't wait to see more of the Grange in action here! | 29.06.2024

I hope you enjoy this video and thank you for watching! If you like what you've seen, please head over to Instagram for more   / brunelheritage   and please feel free to leave comments, ratings, and subscribe to the channel.

#gwr #greatwesternrailway #WestSomersetRailway #grangeclass #6880bettongrange #Saint #britishrailways #heritagerailwaypeople #heritagerailways #heritagerailwayphotos #steamrailway #railwayphotography #railphotos #railwaysofbritain #railphotography #railwayphotos #ukrailscene #ukrailwaypics #Minehead #photography #heritage #steamtrainsofbritain #railwayheritage #manor #Hymek #Williton #BishopsLydeard #steamtrain #steamengine #heritage