Churchward envisaged a range of locomotive classes which would be suitable for the majority of duties, and yet which would share a small number of standard components.

He took the Churchward proposal, and modified the design of the cab and controls to the then current style.

[10] It had eventually been intended to replace all of the 4300 Class in this way in three batches, with the next Grange due to be built No.

[14] Hence, with their power and mixed traffic characteristics, the Grange locomotives could handle most duties on the network.

[3] Inspired by the success of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust in building the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado the Llangollen Railway Society explored the possibility of recreating a new build Grange from existing parts of various locomotives, utilising the "kit of standard bits" construction approach adopted by the GWR.

After the Beeching Axe, British Railways had sold many of its steam locomotives to a number of privately owned scrap yards, the most famous of which was Woodham Brothers in Barry Island, South Wales.

[17][18] Whilst many of the early locomotives that were recovered from Barry were complete, later examples lacked non-ferrous fittings, pipework and valve gear, and were at worst simply frames, wheels, and a rusty boiler.

The 6880 Society (registered charity, no: 1100537) was formed in 1998, with the sole purpose of constructing an operational Grange Class steam locomotive.

"[14] The core of the society was formed by the group who had recovered from Barry the GWR 5101 Class Large Prairie No.

The society also acquired the spare tender frame from GWR 4900 Class 4936 Kinlet Hall.