"2007" Photograph archive
Last updated on  Sunday, 23 December 2007  


Photographs taken on 20th &21st December 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 23/12/2007

 

0000
Thursday, 20th December.
An access scaffold is delivered...

0001
...to enable Dave Gibson...

0002
Friday, 21st December

...to access the roof space...

0003
...to erect trunking for lights and power.

   

Photographs taken on 15th & 16th December 2007
Taken by Bill Newton
Uploaded on 18/12/2007

 

0102
The first of the Santa Specials waits in the platform.

0107
Sally Newton takes a  quick look to make sure everything is tidy...

0113
...before the first children arrive with Santa.

0115
We were joined by two well known locals who never say no to a hot drink.
(Gareth & Bryn).

0120
Someone else who enjoyed a hot cuppa on a chilly day.

 

Photographs taken on 15th & 16th December 2007
(Selection from the Santa Special weekend)
Taken by Martin Riley
Uploaded on 17/12/2007

 

1
One little girl anxiuosly waits for her mom to open her present...

2
...while this excited little boy just can't wait.

3
...and of course there is the ride on the train too.

4
The Christmas Tree with various presents await the children to enter...

5
...and so does Santa.

6
You can't keep Gareth or Bryn Morgan away at any time of year.

7
Chris Newton and daughter Sally sample the mulled wine on the Saturday to make sure it is not too strong (hic!)...

8
 ...while Janet Williams, Chris Britchford and Paul Merriman sample it on the Sunday (just to be sure).

 

Photographs taken on 15th & 16th December 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 17/12/2007

 

9879
Saturday, 15.12.07. The weather was very cool - and the steam was more prominent as a result.

9880
The sheep don't think much of it!

9882
In the Shed, Paul and Adrian fabricate the second rear door for the Carriage Shed.

9885
It's a frame-up!

9886
A trial fitting of the second door frame...

9888
...and a check for clearances.

9889
Lunch break - disturbed by Dave Price and Chris!

9892
Back to work!

9895
Saturday evening -
Christmas dinner in the Pen y bont, Talyllyn.

9897
 

9898
 

9900
 

9901
 

9902
 

9903
Shelley and her mother warm themselves by the fire!

9904
 

9905
 

9906
 

9907
Sunday 16.12.07. Adrian ponders locking arrangements for the doors with Paul.

9908
Richard changes rotten planks outside the shed doors.

9913
Another load of passengers arrive seeking Santa!

9914
Lying down on the job!

9916
The completed door makes its way down to the Carriage Shed.

9917
The door hung, John Trott calls to supervise its closing!

9918
The doors are closed - it's warmer already!

9919
Dave Kingman puts No. 6 away at the end of a fun weekend!

 

Photographs taken between 26th & 28th November 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 02/12/2007

 

9682
Monday, 26.11.07. The weather has turned decidedly wetter and colder!

9721
It's a fine turnout...

9688
...of volunteers to off-load a new supply of rail and turnouts for Maespoeth yard!

9687
Plenty of nourishment close by!
9711
It is not just milk that Mansel Davies carries past Corris!
9696
The rails are too long for the excavator to reach their centres, so after slinging...

9698
...everyone stands clear...

9700
...swing the rails clear away from the lorry...

9701
...drag the rails to the edge of the lorry deck...

9702
...then with a quick flick, they clear it...

9703
...and then it is all hands to place on the stack...

9706
...and undo the shackles...

9708
...release the slings...

9709
...and clean up while waiting to offload the next batch!

9714
Soon the last pair are lifted off...

9719
...and after a quick clean up, the lorry can go.

9724
Wednesday, 28.11.07. Lez has started on the blockwork, but the weather is not good.


 


Photographs taken between 19th & 24th November 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 26/11/2007

 

9637
Monday, 19.11.07. Ply sheets for soffits on the new roof have received their first coat of stain...

9638
...and the photograph is taken just as the scaffold arrives for the rest of the Carriage Shed roof.

9639
Tuesday, 20.11.07. The majority of the scaffold is erected...

9641
...and the scaffolders have just arrived to finish it off...

9642
...just as Graham arrives to start work.

9644
Wednesday 21.11.07. The scaffold is up and finished, ready for the builders...

9646
...including Lez - to do the blockwork walls.

9651
Thursday 22.11.07. If only there was a pot of gold...

9666
Friday 23.11.07. Bricks, slate lathes, blocks and...

9667
...cement all ready for Lez - but where is he?

9669
Saturday 24.11.07. Dave Price does everybody a favour - puts the kettle on!

9670
Trefor is as spotless as ever!

9672
The soffit sheets have had a second coat of stain...

9673
...and the remainder of the steel mesh has been brought down to the Carriage Shed floor.

9674
Dick is recovering sand to keep Lez supplied...

9676
...and the timber cladding material has made it under cover.

9677
During the week, a crucible has been cobbled together to help cast small non-ferrous items.

9678
Dave Price is fabricating a steel puller for Trefor...

9679
...who is re-fixing the inlet manifold on No. 6 after the fitting of a cold start in the air flow.

9680
Dick and Steve discuss moving materials, now that more blocks are ready on an extended internal scaffold for the absent Lez.

9681
Steve drags more mesh down, using the dumper.


Photographs taken 17th & 18th November 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 18/11/2007

 

9594
Get the point? Andrew and Trefor discuss the finer points of drills with John.

9595
One broken bolt drilled out, and the extractor on the sprocket of No. 6 ready for another go at removing it.

9596
Paul prepares a steel SHS to fabricate another door for the Carriage Shed.

9597
Yesterday slate lathes were delivered for the next section of roof...

9599
...together with timber rafters.

9601
Richard works inside the water tank, fitting a ball valve...

9619
 ...duly completed. So that is where that coupler went!
9602
Andrew dismantles the electrics on No. 6...
9616
...to fit a cold start - very timely!

9603
By evening, the stubborn sprocket on No. 6 is still there.

9605
Paul trims up the door frame for the Carriage Shed...

9606
...before trying it in position.

 9608
Is it straight? Not yet - the bottom hinge hasn't been fixed yet!

9609
The top hinge is a snug fit, so needs a little persuasion to take the frame down again.

9610
Getting ready for the next phase of shed construction - ply sheets for soffits (foreground), sand and blocks moved down...

9611
...while a scaffold has been set up for the next bay with blocks already loaded.

9612
Just a small problem - a few tonnes of gravel has had to be moved to restore road access to the Carriage Shed.

9613
The basic door frame complete with hinges awaits finishing.

9617
Richard finds a very ap-pealing job to do!

9618
Two more advertising boards ready for installation on the platform fence. Would you like your business to be advertised there?

9621
Richard and Dave prepare...

9622
...to erect the Santa trains board on the gantry...

9625
...duly completed!

9626
Richard has been busy in Corris as well with a new board...

9627
...and Santa Trains posters.

9631
Inside the Carriage Shed at night. How long will this photo be possible?

 

 

 

Photographs taken w/e 11th November 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 12/11/2007

 

1
Andrew has come along to help Trefor get the final drive sprocket and leaking seal off...

2
...but it is still there...

3
...after bending the extraction tool...

4
...so they clean out the fuel system instead.

   

Photographs taken on 29th October & 4th November 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 05/11/2007

 

9477
Monday, 29.10.07. Roger Gray cleans up after working on the bogie carriage in the Museum under the light of an effective Christmas lantern!

9478
The work on the vestibule area is of particularly high quality.

9481
Tuesday 30.10.07. John and Graham chat over lunch in the sunshine...

9488
...before getting back to work.
9482
Outside, the structural retaining wall of the Carriage Shed is receiving almost the last of its concrete infill...
9483
...from the work station...

9485
...which is fed by water from our underground water tank via. a hose - which seems to have sprung a leak!

 9484
Also present is Dave Gibson, working on the electric installation.


9490
Wednesday, 31.10.07. By morning, not a lot of concrete needs mixing to get to the end.

9493
Inside the Shed, hangers are somehow in position to take the electrical trunking.

9494
By evening, the vestibule area in the Museum is approaching completion...

9495
...as is the northern saloon...

9496
...watched over by Roger!

 

9500
Y Mochyn has a very bright next door neighbour.
 

9502
Thursday, 1.11.07. The yard is set up to receive cement grout to complete the waterproofing cavity in the Carriage Shed wall...

9503
...and fencing has been removed to give room to manoeuvre...

9504
...now that the reinforced concrete cavity in the wall has been completed.

9506
Friday, 2.11.07. The cement grout has arrived early...

9509
...but the chutes are too short so have to be extended.

9511
The grout comes out of the lorry....and stays there!

9512
With the aid of much plasticiser, things are got flowing at last!

9515
Saturday, 3.11.07. It looks like plenty of work was done yesterday!

9516
The cavity is all but complete...

9517
...but some has seeped through - which should seal any holes that might have been present before!

9524
Trefor has brought No. 6 into the shed to replace a faulty final drive seal...

9525
...which proves rather difficult to get at - special tools required!

9526
Sunday 4.11.07. Maespoeth in the sun!


Photographs taken on 27th & 28th October 2007
Taken by Alf Oxford
Uploaded on 04/11/2007

 

0021
Saturday 27th - the day of the AGM.
Sue Phillips, widow of our dear friend the late, Bryn Phillips, unveils a clock and plaque placed in memory of Bryn...

0022
... with the inscription:
"In memory of Bryn Phillips.
1931 - 2007
Still keeping our guards on time
".

0029
Later at the AGM, Peter Guest was presented with a painting by Jonathan Clay, commissioned by the committee and privately funded, of the Tattoo Locomotive, Carriage 21 and Carriage 22, to mark his achievements with regard to the Tattoo Locomotive since February 1995.

0031
On Sunday, Roger Gray continued the restoration of Carriage 7.

0042
Later in the day, Roger started fitting the North-East side panel.

0044
Jill Oxford & Rosie Guest got the museum ready for our expected seasonal visitor on 15th & 16th December.


Photographs taken on 27th & 28th October 2007
Taken by John Arnold
Uploaded on 04/11/2007

 

072
The "early crew". (From left) Steve Parr, Steve Clarke, Trefor Davis & Andrew Rawlins get the steam loco ready for service...

073
...and off it goes to Corris.

075
Meanwhile: Hi Ho...

076
Hi Ho ...

077
It's off to the shed we go...
(Adrian, Trefor, Andrew & Paul).

078
...to hang the first door at the North End of the Carriage Shed.

079
David Coleman comes to take a look.

080
A very dull late afternoon makes the yard at Maespoeth look very damp and uninviting...

083
...and into the early evening work continues in the Engine Shed.


Photographs taken between 25th & 28th October 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 03/11/2007

 

9404
Thursday. Phew!
The coal had disappeared from the loading bay: it has been stacked outside the shed!

9405
Friday. John Reynard says he is not here!

9406
Infilling of concrete in the retaining wall has continued...

9407
...after Lez had infilled the last panel of blocks on the west wall.

9408
This job is the pits!
Father and son, Andy and Jack Cooper, clean and paint pit columns for the new track.

9410
Steve, observed by Mike, takes delivery of two hydraulic platforms to assist with steel work erection over the weekend.

9411
All the block work panels done (west side) and scaffold dismantled, leaving the floor clear for the Metsec purlins to be erected.

9417
Saturday. First train out - members chat while passengers prepare to board.

9419
Adrian is fabricating something in the engine shed!

9421
Bryn and Jack sort nuts, bolts and washers for the steel erectors.

9422
Alan Witts prepares to accept the 11.00 Down train, while Dave Price goes through paperwork to bring it up to date.

9423
Some of the passengers from the first train are received by Alan as Dave Kingman escapes the duty!

9424
Mike fixes steelwork - and chatting Dave and Adrian with a stare!

9426
Andy, Des Stewart and Jack continue with the pit column cle
aning and painting.

9427
Des cleans up a column...

9430
...while Jack follows with the paint roller.

9428
Break time! Andy and Mike take a breather between erecting Metsec light steel purlins.

9431
Yo-ho, heave ho! Andy guides the tail of a purlin into place...

9432
...assisted by Dick Kidner at the other end.

9435
Lunch time - and one bay is virtually complete. But - it is raining!

9437
Stella receives fuss from Ali in the S & T shed!

9438
Paul and Adrian complete fixing of the rear door frame, as steel erection re-commences in the background...

9440
...which involves drilling more holes in the door frame.

9441
Adrian's fabrications from yesterday are lined up!

9443
One of the new back doors arrives with the assistance of the train crew...

9445
...and offer it up for fitting - with difficulty!

9446
Successfully hung...while steel erection continues in the background in light rain.

9447
By the time of the last train, two and a half bays of steel are erected, despite the rain.

9448
Sunday. Paul was making up better fitting hinge pins for the back doors of the Carriage Shed...

9449
...while a clean faced Trefor prepares No. 7 for the winter.

9453
After heavy overnight rain, things have picked up! Andrew fixes a purlin on the last bay.

9454
Plenty of activity!

9455
Autumn colours at lunchtime!

9456
No. 5 and van on a works train, waits in the platform...

9457
...and then heads up the line, driven by Richard Greenhough.

9459
By afternoon, work progresses on the last bay.

9461
A piece of hired equipment...all the way from the USA?

9463
The problem with one of the machines - the knuckle restricted accessibility to one side of the bay only. Much easier on the last bay!

9464
In Corris, Trefor and Richard clear away after excavating for and putting in a replacement water supply pipe for Mrs Lloyd...

9467
...which must have been a really dirty job!

9468
No. 5 has received a new - and very smart - seat!

9470
Andrew admires the work of the weekend...

9472
...now that it has been completed - just as a shower arrives!

9474
Trefor guides Richard back with No. 5 at the end of the day.

 

Photographs taken between 17th & 20th October 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 21/10/2007

 

9339
Wednesday, 17.10.07. Blocks all ready for the penultimate bay of blockwork...

9340
Thursday, 18.10.07. ...duly laid!

9342
Friday, 19.10.07. Scaffold moved - and loaded with blocks for the last bay on the west side.

9344
Slightly damaged Metsec purlins are now sorted out and ready for installation.

9382
Saturday 20.10.07. It's a lovely day for it! Lez moves materials as the sun creeps over the mountain and burns the dew off the field...

9383
...and Sam lets him know a visitor has arrived!

9384
Lez prepares a block to start the second course.

9386
Sleepers off-loaded to be laid out for the new turnout.

9387
Unfortunately, Lez got called away without finishing the bay - but it's a good start!

9388
Is Lez branching out?

9389
Volunteer wanted - to load coal into the waggon!

9390
The tool grinder is now connected up, ready for work!

9392
The bogie waggon all ready to receive supplies for next weekend - and there is a rally on, creating plenty of noise.

   

Photographs taken on 13th & 14th October 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 18/10/2007

 

9328
Halloween must be drawing near!

9331
Three panels of blockwork completed - only two more to go, and the scaffold has been moved ready.

9333
The temporary electrical switchgear installed outside is now wired up inside the Carriage Shed.

9334
The one completed north door has by now been painted in primer.

9335
One set of axlebox blocks for Carriage No. 22 has now had their slots milled on both sides - and no John in sight!

9336
More firewood delivered for No. 7?

9338
Another one bites the dust...clear felling taking place above Maespoeth.

   

Photographs taken between 3rd & 7th October 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 07/10/2007

 

9150
Wednesday. Lez has filled a further bay on the Carriage Shed with block work.

9160
Saturday. Dick Kidner gives the rear door frames a coat of primer.

9163
Dave's Pussy is looking a lot healthier and has now been found a home.

9165
One I made earlier: Adrian poses with one of the door frames made for the Carriage Shed earlier in the day.

9166
Sunday. Adrian grinds flush the welds from yesterday...

9172
...before continuing welding joints.

 9167
The scaffold has been moved and blocks stacked ready for Lez to complete another bay of steel work.

 9169
Where are you, Marten? Plenty of steel awaiting cleaning and painting!

 9170
The rear door frames finished painted, and one unpainted door stile fixed to test clearances.

9173
By early afternoon, one door is almost finished - just needs locks and timber cladding!

9174
Y Mochyn is getting ready for winter!

 

 

 

 

 

Photographs taken between 24th & 30th September 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 02/10/2007

 

9031
Monday. Richard Saffery caught in the act of fixing new leaflet dispensers on the car park fence at Maespoeth.

9101
Wednesday. No. 9 is starting to look the part!

9105
Saturday. Andy Cooper trims thou's off the roof spar covers for No. 21...

9107
...and tries one for size.

9111
Andy marks out for another one...

9112
...and the finished job, awaiting stain and varnish.

9113
Paul Bailey measures up before fixing the north end Carriage Shed door frame...

9114
...while Dick Kidner looks startled, helping Steve with the next section of lost shutter and reinforcement mesh on the west pit wall...

9116
...with the assistance of Stella!

9118
Sunday. It's that time of year!

9119
All go in the workshop! Graham Farley on lathe, John Reynard on mill and Paul Bailey on radial drill combine to make a fine noise!

9120
The mill being used to machine slots for No. 22's axleboxes.

9121
The west door post drilled and awaiting...

9128
...welding of packing pieces, but...

9129
...Andy seems to be turning his back on Paul's efforts!

9130
The post is offered up to check measurements (again!)...

9131
...before trimming off the surplus.

9122
Dave Kingman finds a new use for black shower caps!

9123
Talk about getting on your wick...how many operators does it take...


9124
...to light a lamp?

9125
Malcolm puts on a fine display as No. 7 heads north with the first Up train of the day...

9126
...and keeps it up for the down train!


9127
Heads pop out everywhere as the train is held at the Stop board, awaiting Dave Price's flag signal.

9132
Meanwhile, Trefor vents his frustration at not driving No. 7 by completing a good service on No. 6!

9133
Having welded the door frame complete on the floor, it is jemmied into position to test for fit and drilling of the fixing holes on the shed steel work.

9134
Almost a forgotten technique! Back to wiring mesh in place.

9135
The 13.40 Up train heads towards Corris.

9138
The completed paint job on No. 9. All we need to do is get it to work!

9139
The first batch of slots in No. 22's axleboxes have been machined...

9141
...and the Carriage Shed north door frame has been fixed - after painting the now inaccessible faces!

9142
Trefor blows down...

9145
...before putting No. 7 to bed.

9148
Put that light out! No. 7's lamp peers through the gloom as No. 6 retuns from a run up the line to enable Dave Price to test 'phone sockets.

9149
Job done, and Dave Kingman brings the coaching stock down before stabling.

   

Photographs taken on 30th September 2007
Taken by John Arnold
Uploaded on 01/10/2007

 

001
Maespoeth - Early morning.

002
Andy Cooper makes use of the pit to check under Carriage 21...

003
...from end to end.

004
Trefor then sets to with oil & grease...

005
...before disappearing under Carriage 20!

006
Trefor makes another brief appearance between carriages.

007
Malcolm inspects Locomotive No. 7 before the day's operations.

008
Paul Bailey gets on with the fabrication needed for the North doorframe of the Carriage Shed.

009
"Steam up!".

010
Trefor goes the the Signal Box to change the turnout...

012
...to allow him to back up to No. 6.

014
Richard Foyn waters No. 7.

017
Andy Cooper and Paul Bailey discuss the doorframe  fabrication with David Coleman...

018
...before bringing the one part down from the shed.

019
What's this Trouble ?
No. Just an incident test for both John Arnold & Dave Kingman.

020
Trefor is "in on it" so has a wry smile while waiting for the return of Dave Kingman...

021
...and here he comes.

 

Photographs taken between 20th & 23rd September 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 24/09/2007

 

8987
Thursday. It has got colder!

8988
Electrical equipment has started to be fixed on the Carriage Shed wall.

8989
Much of the paintwork on No. 9 has been stripped.

8990
Friday. A new bench has been delivered to Maespoeth - destined for the Carriage Shed?

8991
Saturday. Richard Saffery paints the steelwork in protective paint...

8992
...and proves that length can be important!

8993
But is he getting soft? It's hand lotion!

8995
Working on the east side columns, Richard polishes the steel before applying the paint!

8996
The dumper is used to bring up blocks to be stacked for drying and use by Lez on the next panel...

8997
...and the scaffold has been moved and loaded with materials for the same purpose.

8998
Geoff Cooper cleaning down No. 9.

9001
Sunday. Trefor drives on the first Up train of the day - with wonderful atmospherics!

9004
Typically busy scene as John Reynard hands over a repaired bolt for Carriage 21 to Richard Saffery...

9005
...while Trefor practices joined up writing...

9006
...before Trainee Blockman Dave Kingman and Trainee Guard Graham Farley gives the "Right Away" to Trefor for the 12.40 Up train.

9007
Dave fills in the Block Register...

9008
...before investigating strange noises under the bonnet of No. 6...

9010
...before coming up with a very wet and bedraggled pussy!

9011
Adrian has brought down the door posts for the Carriage Shed and drills the steelwork to fix them in place...

9013
...but is distracted by Dave's little handful!

9014
Between trains, the smokers take a break!

9015
Adrian sets up the next door post for drilling...

9016
...and leaves instructions for the next person to carry on.

9017
One post fixed, together with the hanging stile of the door (here in the open position).

9019
Dave entertains visitors as blocks await laying.

9021
Trefor tucks the hose away...

9022
...before joining Malcolm, gurning through the spectacles of No. 7 as it runs back for disposal at the end of the day!

9024
Blow down!

9026
Dave drives No. 6 on an Up ECS (Empty Carriage Stock) working at the end of the day to practice Corris approaches.

9028
Not a common sight today - No. 6 on a passenger train in Corris!

9029
Geoff Cooper poses with No. 9 - partly in undercoat (No. 9, that is)!

9030
Gelert takes a good look at Dave's pussy! Anybody want a railway cat?

 

Photographs taken between 15th & 19th September 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 20/09/2007

 

8974
Saturday. Lunch time!

8975
After a good lunch, Peter contemplates fitting seat backs in 220!

8976
The sun shines on the Carriage Shed steel work...

8977
...while Rosie works off her lunch over the paper!

8978
Sunday. Trefor brings No. 6 to give it a good service prior to winter.

8980
The 13.40 Up train departs Maespoeth.

8981
Scaffold has been set up and blocks and bricks stacked ready for the next bay of blockwork...

8982
...and the steelwork has been painted in bituminous black ready.

8983
Some cladding timber has been brought inside to dry out.

8984
Wednesday. The next panel of blockwork has been laid - by who?

8986
Aagh! It must have been Lez!

8985
A man in a GTRM suit looks at the electrics. Does Dave Gibson know?


Photographs taken between 3rd & 9th September 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 11/09/2007

 

8881
Monday. What a difference a day makes (to the weather)!

Lez finishes off the bricks under the last bay of channel bracing on the west wall of the Carriage Shed.

8883
Tuesday. All is ready to drop the steel channels on bedding, and erect the rest of the steel frame.

8884
Wednesday. The evening shift of Malcolm and Trefor (other side) re-pack cylinder glands on No. 7.

8885
Saturday. Richard Rugog has arrived with borrowed machine to erect the rest of the building's steel work, while a Committee decide how to do it!

8886
Lez prepares bedding while showing off his contribution to the book of the TV programme, while Richard Shipman prepares to release bolts to lower the channel bracings and Richard Rugog moves pit steel.

8887
The first of the second batch of columns is lowered over its holding down bolts, guided by Andrew and Mike.

8888
The first truss is held in position while awaiting the final tightening of the nuts and bolts.

8889
Alan Witts enjoys the change from painting his house!

8891
Richard secures the bolts on the last of the lowered channel bracings.

8892
Steve finishes off the bolts on the first of the frames, while Richard Rugog holds the rafters steady.

8893
A pair of rafter sections are lowered to the shed floor for assembly.

8894
Saves changing the points!

8895
A column and another pair of rafters are railed to the work site...

8896
...while Clive (from the Dulas Valley Hotel) interrupts John's work.

8898
A combined effort - Adrian and Richard tighten up bolts on another rafter section.

8899
The next frame is lifted into position.

8900
Steve waits for the next rafter assembly, while Andy and Mike prepare to bolt down the next column and Paul Bailey and Richard Shipman tighten bolts on the last section of channel bracing.

8901
The last column is lowered carefully...

8902
...into position at first attempt!

8903
John and Alan relax over lunch while the penultimate rafter section is bolted into position. Stella is quite relaxed over the good progress!

8905
The last frame is held in position, awaiting volunteers to catch up with the bolts!

8908
Steve gives instructions from the top of the ladder, while the rafter is held in perfect position.

8910
The last pair of pit rail support steels are secured before being lowered to the work site.

8911
Jack and Richard rail end section door frame supports towards the work site before lowering to site.

8913
During all the excitement, John continues with machining axleboxes for No. 22.

8914
Various waggons are temporarily stored on the main line, out of the way.

8915
A brief pause in proceedings after the initial erection has been completed!

8918
The now redundant shutters for the east pit wall are lifted out of the pit.

8921
Pit steel support columns are lifted down to the shed.

8924
Adrian checks the last outside section of east pit wall shutter is lifted satisfactorily clear.

8926
After sorting, Paul and Mike drag rail support columns further into the shed for cover (and later, cleaning and painting - volunteers, anyone?).

8927
Adrian relaxes while Steve and Andy tighten bolts on the top horizontal bracings...

8929
...and the Metsec eaves section.

8931
Pit columns are lowered into the pit for storage out of the way.

8935
Bracings in, eaves sections up, and everybody starts to clear up...

8936
...at the end of a good productive day.

8938
Sunday. The Craft Centre celebrated 25 years since first opening this weekend.

8940
To celebrate, all the workshops were decorated and the occupants dressed up to suit...

8941
...Kim, Ben and Debs were the ultimate winners of the competition in the Candles workshop.

8942
Some Pirates had got blown off course!

8944
Andy Cooper stops cleaning up after the weekend as Harry Worth drives No. 7 into the shed.

8945
The first row of Metsec purlins and bracings have been fixed...

8946
...and the east side columns levelled.

8947
The end of a very good weekend.

 

Photographs taken on 1st & 2nd September 2007
Taken by Alf Oxford & Martin Riley
Uploaded on 03/09/2007

 

0001
Saturday. There was brisk trading in the museum shop from the start.

0002
Even some exhibitors at the Corris Show popped in for a hot drink and a snack, mingling with other visitors.

0003
In the school playground the band played to entertain the visitors to the Corris Show...

0004
... and a shop was in a good place to catch trade too.

0007
Familiar faces entertain visitors in the museum.

0008
At the end of the Corris Show the winners were presented with cups to mark their achievement.

0009
Sunday. The first train was very full - despite the change in the weather.

0010
Driver Malcolm Cameron stands to attention on the footplate as passengers alight.

0013
The 12:00 leaves Corris Station. The steam seemed to hang around for a while due to the weather conditions.

0017
Again, familiar faces in the museum, this time chatting to Mrs. Gray (Ken & Peter's mom).

0018
The last train of the day just passing through Braichgoch Farm Crossing...

0019
...and into Corris Station.


Photographs taken between 29th August & 2nd September 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 03/09/2007

 

8837
Wednesday. Lez has moved on to finish the last panel of inner blockwork on the west wall of the Carriage Shed.

8838
Friday. All action today - Lez takes a breather before laying bricks on top of the blocks to bring them to the correct height...

8839
...but is interupted to move his car for a fresh supply of coal to be delivered...

8840
...but by evening, only one bay has been completed.

8841
Saturday. Trefor tries to pour oil on Dave's problem - a seized padlock!

8842
Dave looks on as with weapon in hand, Trefor offers to resolve the problem - permanently!

8843
Dick Kidner is Guard as Trefor starts No. 7 on the first Up train of the day.

8845
With a damp atmosphere, No. 7's steam hangs clearly in the air.

8846
In Corris, Roger Gray is working on the Metropolitan carriage in the Museum...

8848
...while at Maespoeth, John continues machining axleboxes for No. 22...

8849
...until lunchtime, when he is joined by others.

8850
After lunch, Steve takes concreting supplies down to the gravel pile...

8851
...where a pile of sleepers and pallets is topped by the concrete mixer to discharge straight into the dumper...

8852
...which is used to carry about six mixes at a time up to the top level of the Carriage Shed...

8855
...where it discharges its load ready to be shovelled into the cavity of the retaining wall...

8856
...while in a new move, Dave Kingman gives the shed talk to a group of passengers, which bewilders one of them!

8858
No. 7 disappears from sight (in the distance) on the 16.40 ex. Maespoeth, just as the concrete infilling has been completed (foreground).

8859
It's the day of the Corris and District Show, and Y Mochyn has taken part - with some success!

8860
Sunday. Trouble at Shed?

8863
No. 7 clears the Shed, so Malcolm can light up!

8864
With a light drizzle falling, today is going to be very atmospheric!

8869
Pity then, for the organisers of Corris Festival, who have set up a large marquee as venue for some concerts over the weekend. Let us hope one years' bad weather doesn't put them off!

8871
Corris in the rain!

8872
Never mind, it does not deter our passengers!

8874
Typical steam effects...

8876
...travelling up the line.

8877
The loneliness of the Corris Controller -
Alf sets off to change the Station Limits board before No. 7 heads south for disposal under Engineer's Possession.


Photographs taken on 25th, 26th & 27th August 2007
Taken by Alf Oxford & Paul Merriman
Uploaded on 29/08/2007

 

0001
Saturday. The 3:00pm leaving Corris a little later than planned on a gloriously sunny day.

0005
The 3:00pm returns to Corris and passengers alight. I see Ian Chatterton and family making the most of the sunshine.

0009
Bob
Winchurch is fireman today and Malcolm Cameron driver. Malcolm takes advantage of some fresh air outside the cab.

0011
Dave Kingman is guard for the weekend.

0013
A couple arrived just in time for the 4:00pm train in a superb open top car.

0015
At the end onf normal services it is off to Maespoeth...

0018
..where Jill Oxford has joined us straight from the Model Railway & Toy Exhibition in Machynlleth  to cook a barbecue...

0021
...assisted by Chris Britchford & Janet Williams.

0023
It is a good chance for exhibitors and Corris members to get together and have a burger, a hot dog and a chat.

0025
Jill keeps the barbecue going as long as burgers and hot dogs are required...

0034
...and then once the train has returned the visitors to Corris it is put to bed for the night...

0039
...closely followed by the carriages.

0046
Work for the driver and fireman does not end there though. Here Dave Price (driver) attends to the loco on the outside...

0048
...while Rosie Guest (fireman) deals with draining water etc. from the inside.

0050
Monday. Paul takes over with the camera at the MR & TE for the day, as I was based in the museum.

0052
There were many layouts...

0057
...all of them extremely "busy".

0063
The show was well attended as usual.

0067
It does make you wonder just how...

0072
...you can squeeze such a lot into a reasonably small area.

0076
The scenery was terrific.

0077
Just one of the many young admirers who attended the show...

0080
...and perhaps not so young.


0078
All the models were fighting for space in what was available.


Photographs taken between 20th & 28th August 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 29/08/2007

 

8714
Monday. The Corris School's time capsule came out for burying in the foundations - here is the front...

8715
 ...and the back.

8716
It wouldn't be strong enough by itself to withstand the concrete pressure with vibrator, so Steve makes a box to house it in...

8719
...before dropping it carefully into the last section of east pit wall...


8720
...where it will be encased in more reinforcement to hold it in position.

8717
Mike drives another bracing bar across the last section of east wall shutter.


 8718
The last few cones are made ready.

8721
Steve sets up the laser level to check the height of the cone assemblies after the access scaffold has been assembled.

8723
The shutter set up for the last section of east pit wall - incorporating two columns, the first time since the very beginning of the east wall.

8725
A glimpse of the Time Capsule, fixed in position before concreting.

8732
Wednesday. The wierd structure assembled in the shed a fortnight ago is positioned outside - to do what?
 

8733
The last pour of concrete on the east wall begins!

8735
The sun is just creeping over the mountain as Adrian joins in the work.

8737
Higher up (and in the sun), No. 7 is oiled up.

8738
Many hands make concrete flow!

8740
So that explains the structure! Steve tips spare concrete into (eventually) the structural retaining wall...

8741
...where it is encouraged down the cavity by shovel.

8742
Lunch time!

8813
The weather is good as Y Mochyn testifies!
8744
An office 'phone call agreed that it was very warm. I said I was in a Sauna with a glamorous young lady. They said pigs will fly...so here's the proof!
8745
Catching up on progress, Lez has blocked up the first (southern) inner panel on Tuesday to clear space for the Ready Mix Concrete lorry...

8746
...and the newly placed concrete is curing in the warm afternoon sun...

8749
...so much so that most passengers seek the shadow as Adrian gives his shed talk from another of the seats!

8750
Chris spent most of the day driving.

 

8753
Thursday. No. 7 (without sufficient pressure to move itself) is shunted onto the back of the train by No. 6...

8754
...as Paul Bailey waits patiently inside the shed for the delivery of steel which he is to work on!

8755
The shutter is stripped and...

8756
...all is looking good
!  

8760
Friday. Paul adjusts his dress as No. 7 is prepared early in the morning...

8762
...and later, polishes No. 7's smokebox.

8765
Later still, Lez turns up to lay blocks in another panel.

 

8767
John Trott chats with trainee fireman Richard Greenhough

8770
Two panels (almost) completed, together with the east pit wall.

8771
John continues machining axleboxes for Carriage No. 22...

8772
...until he notices he is being photographed!

 

8775
Saturday. At the Model Railway and Toy Exhibition, Steve explains to a visitor how he moulds slate walls...

8776
...while Peter Gray works on the next 4 seasons model!

8777
One...

8779
...of many...

8780
...superb models...

8781
...on display...

8787
...in...

8783
...the...

8784
...model railway..
.

8785
...exhibition.

8778
Not to forget the toys (one of the hover mowers works!).


8782
Some toys!

8786
Not to forget the trader's stands...

  8791
...here manned by Steve Harris and son Ali being questioned by show organiser Bill Newton.

8789
On display on the Society stand, new lines for...

8788
...early Christmas shoppers!

 8792
Meanwhile, back at Maespoeth, Adrian drills steel at high level...


8793
...while Andy gets down to it on the floor...

8794
...and John takes it easy (again!).

 

8796
Andy fettles a hinge plate for the Carriage Shed door frame (laid out in the foreground) while Adrian works on the pit steel on waggon 218.

8802
Steve and Ali have escaped from the exhibition and are moving the partition in the S & T shed / stable.

8804
Nice to see preparations well in hand for going down Maespoeth bank!

8805
Signs out for the Model Railway Exhibition.

8806
Monday. The Carriage Shed door frames nearing completion on the engine shed floor.

8807
Dave Ingram has spent the day as Trefor's fireman.

8809
Trefor drives No. 7 forward for disposal at the end of a good day.

8810
Lez - star of the small screen ("Mountains" on Sunday night) - has laid a third panel of blocks.

8812
Dave Kingman drives No. 6, propelling a waggon loaded with almost completed pit steel, to pick up the carriages.

8815
Tuesday. Lez has been at it again - only one more panel to go!

 

 


Photographs taken on 21st August 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
(A Morning on The Corris 21st August 2007 )
Uploaded on 06/09/2007

 

0531
It is a typically sunny morning at Maespoeth as the volunteers assemble -

Guard Sheila cleans out the carriages ready for the passengers.

0533
Fireman Bob keeps an eye on the fire while mugging up on the Rulebook.

0534
Graham & John take it easy before starting work in the workshop.

0535
Controller Alan opens up the blockpost.

0536
Rosie prepares to welcome visitors to the Museum.
 

0537
John & Graham get to work on the milling machines, making axleboxes for carriage 22.

0543
Steve rides the Bucking Bronco !

0544
Having managed to control his steed, Steve fills up Mike’s dumper with gravel for more carriage shed works.

0546
Driver Dave takes a break from the engine to set up his camera.

0547
The wheelchair ramp comes into use as a lady passenger enjoys her ride on “The Friendly Line”.

   

Photographs taken between 14th & 19th August 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 20/08/2007

 

8661
Tuesday. Another strange structure takes shape - well, it is Rugby World Cup year!

8662
Somebody's been having a good clear up in the S & T shed! I wonder how long it will last?

8663
The passenger control fencing above the Carriage Shed has disappeared!

8664
Piles of 100mm concrete blocks are spaced out, awaiting a block layer.

8665
One of the timber structures from Sunday has received a coat of paint.

8666
With the return of the rain, the swimming pool has filled up again!

8667
Y Mochyn appears to be preparing to emigrate to San Francisco.

8669
Wednesday. Some of the retaining wall at the north end of the Carriage Shed has received concrete infill - at last!

8670
More rail has been brought down for track panels, and straightened.

8671
The last section of pit floor edge has been concreted - ready for the last section of east pit floor.

8674
The penultimate section of east pit wall has been concreted, along with the floor - no more swimming pool!

8676
Thursday. Even more rails straightened - awaiting the attention of welders!

8677
The penultimate east pit wall section's shutters have been stripped, and the last section of reinforcement mesh cut and fixed - let me out!

8679
Posters have appeared for the Corris Festival - does the lower left illustration indicate that Lez will be singing?

8680
Friday. The passenger control fencing has been reinstated.

8681
More cement has arrived - by the dumper load!

8682
The mesh, angle and shuttering for the last section of wall...

8683
...is progressing.

8684
More blocks and gravel has arrived.

8687
Saturday. It looks like the first train of the day is going to be double headed - or is that tailed?

8688
The rain bounces off everything!

8690
To keep working, Steve and Mike set up a gazebo.

8693
No. 7 blasts past the Signal Box on a training run.

8694
Trefor carefully measures out steam oil.

8696
Richard Greenhough tries out his new Marigold's, watering No. 7.

8697
The complex arrangement of shuttering to finish off the end of the east pit wall - to avoid trapping shutters after casting.

8698
The blocks have been moved to give Lez room to work - but where is he?

8700
To keep the younger passengers amused, and dry, the toy train set has been moved into the stable.

8701
Good lad! Dave Price chops morning sticks for No. 7.

8704
Y Mochyn reflects on the drizzly weather.

8711
Hats are the in thing - but Clive is not so sure!

8712
Sunday. The last bit of shuttering and mesh is almost finished.

 

Photographs taken between 7th & 12th August 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 13/08/2007

 

8489
Trefor wields the vacuum cleaner in company with a cuppa!

8491
Lez has been at work - closing up the north end of the blockwork above the services ducts.

8492
Another track panel has been assembled and a third largely laid out ready for welding.

8493
Two bays of 150mm blocks laid to height - and another scaffolded and loaded to continue further.

8494
Carriage 21 is bearly full of passengers!

8497
Trefor and Malcolm reassemble the drivers side clack valve on No. 7, which had become scored and was leaking.

8498
Thursday. Y Mochyn is not an infallible forecaster - today is bright and sunny!

8499
Early afternoon. Malcolm prepares No. 7 for a Photo Charter.

8501
Lez puts some elbow grease into cleaning his shovel...

8503
...after finishing the 150mm blocks to height along the rest of the shed...

8504
...while Sam and Stella play nearby.

8507
Smokey coal was on order for No. 7 and the Photo Charter!

8508
In the Museum, Dave Gibson was in charge for the coach party of Australians who had chartered the train. Mary took pity on him and pitched in...

8509
...making and serving drinks to the rest of the party!

8510
Before long, they were making their way down to Maespoeth...

8512
...where, after a Shed Talk (including a tour of the Carriage Shed site) and several starts from Maespoeth, they re-boarded their train for the next location.

8515
The smokey coal was producing the right effects!

8516
No. 7 and train sets back after discharging the photographers...

8518
...whose main concern was whether there were any snakes!

8520
There was a second run-past...

8521

...which appeared to satisfy all...

8524
...so back on to the train. Andrew guides Malcolm back.
8525
One carriage loaded, setting back for the second...
8528
...and back in Corris, time to re-board their coach.

8530
Back at Maespoeth, Andrew gingerly drives No. 7 ready for disposal.

8531
Andrew's driving is filmed by a passing visitor.

8536
An attempt is made to record coins donated by the Australians going down the chute as evidence - without great success!

8537
Meanwhile, Steve has been dragging down reinforcement mesh for the retaining wall, using the dumper.

8538
Friday. A new sign has arrived for the gantry, brought down by Andy...

8542
...who has been clearing up in the stable.

8540
The east pit wall shutter is complete and access scaffold provided - but the Ready Mix drivers have run out of hours!


8541

A section of floor not completely up to level, has been cleaned out ready for topping up.

8543
It is not long before the sign is up!

8545
Saturday. Steve uses the dumper to raise (and here, lower) the steel channel to enable the reinforcement mesh to be slid into position.

8546
The 220mm blocks previously stored inside the shed are moved out...

8547
...to enable the floor to be cleared for waterproofing.

8548
100mm blocks are brought down for the next leaf.

8550
Steve, Mike and Stella take a rest between trains!

8551
Steve drives the Ant to fill the dumper...

8554
...to improve the access to the top of the Carriage Shed retaining wall.

8555
Andrew gets to his feet after emptying No. 7's ashpan...

8556
...before Trefor blows down!

8559
Sunday. Various constructions are under way in the engine shed (in anticipation of rain!)...

8560
...any guesses?

8561
Professor Dafydd Gwyn tries his hand at firing with Andrew and Malcolm...

8562
...while Professor Dave Price gives the Shed Talk to a trainload of passengers.

8563
In the engine shed, Mike Bloomfield fits a floor to a P. Way trolley.

8565
Malcolm drives another train of passengers down to Maespoeth...

8566
...who were missing extra delights on offer in the Institute (long may this initiative continue!).

8567
Does Malcolm know his settee is outside? He does now, as Meinir 'phones him!

8568
More mysteries?

8569
Steve supervises the submersible pump, cleaning up in the bottom of the pit.

8570
A further structure under construction in the engine shed!

8571
It is so hot, Y Mochyn goes au naturel!


Photographs taken on 4th & 5th August 2007
Teddy Bear's Picnic Weekend
Taken by Richard Greenhough
Uploaded on 09/08/2007

 

0451
No.7 has a Bear behind.

0452
A Bear passenger.

0453
Jill's Diner (with a bear chef).

0454
A Bear stationmaster.

0456
Many Bears make carriage work.

0460
Richard waters No.7 while Trefor keeps out of the way.

0461
Making up track panels to be concreted into the carriage shed floor.

0463
The ex-Aberllefenni Quarry rail was sorted ready for use in the carriage shed.

0465
The easy way to move rails around.

0466
Bryn creosotes the cut ends of the sleeper stock.

   

Photographs taken on 4th & 5th August 2007
Teddy Bear's Picnic Weekend
Taken by Alf Oxford & David Kingman
Uploaded on 07/08/2007

 

0002
Just in case anyone had forgotten to bring their teddy bear there were plenty on hand to take onto the train.

0005
Our first customers on Saturday - ready for an early lunch.

0007
It rained all day on Saturday but we still had a fair number of visitors.

0008
An atmospheric view of the formation leaving Corris.

0010
At the end of the day it was time for an "MRE Meeting" between Steve Parr and Bill Newton...

0013
...and before the main Management Meeting to be held in the museum a chance of a sit down and a proper meal for Rosie, Jill & myself.

0014
Sunday. Sunshine! What a difference a day makes...

0015
...Catherine, Thomas & Emma Bailey ran the tombola out on the car park...

0016
...and even thought the weather was much brighter (beach weather) we still managed to draw the crowds in.

0017
The barbecue area was well patronised throughout the day.

0018
Alf & Jill cook themselves a burger during the first quiet spell of the day.

0019
Passengers were given their normal shed talk and views of Maespoeth.

0021
As the weather was kind "splat-the-rat" made it's appearance at Maespoeth, with Thomas & Emma in charge...

0022
All the time, Number 7 waits patiently to take the passengers back to Corris.

0025
After a good spell of rain the plants and other greenery at Maespoeth looks resplendent.

0026
A young passenger aids David Kingman in waving a train away.

0027
David had other assistance all weekend as well.

0029
Jan (Corris Post Mistress) came to sell plants, peg bags and other craft items, taking over the school gate.

0030
Throughout the day, there always seemed to be a few people sat at the tables either eating or chatting.

0032
All the trains ran on Sunday with respectable numbers of passengers on all of them.

0035
Bill Newton has been busy again, this time putting a better display cabinet on the far end of the counter for us.


Photographs taken between 30th July & 1st August 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 07/08/2007

 

8344
Better weather this week!

8345
Monday. Oops! Trefor searches for a dropped copper washer while attending to a leaking clack valve early in the morning.

8348
Malcolm has a good fire going already, as the train is drawn out of the shed.

8349
Branches seem to be in need of trimming south of the signal box!

8352
The newly completed paintwork on Carriage 21 poses in front of Corris station sign board.

8353
The scrap skip is exchanged.

8354
Malcolm plays ball on a down train!

8355
Tuesday. Phew! Y Mochyn escaped again last night!

8356
The 13.40 ex-Maespoeth heads up towards Corris with a healthy load.

8358
Wednesday. Birthday boy dresses up for duty!

8359
Carriage 21's door is open to take on push chairs as clearance is sought to head south again.

8360
I can see you! Most passengers listen intently to John Trott's shed talk.

8363
Frank Walker adds to the kaleidoscope on the east Carriage Shed wall.

8364
Dave Gibson has added to the graffiti on the walls - this time to show the position of electrical switchgear.

 

Photographs taken between 23rd & 29th July 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 29/07/2007

 

8178
Monday. The start of the infilling of blockwork at the very north end of the Carriage Shed - up to the services ducts.

8179
One course of blocks started to be laid to start finishing off at the south end of the shed.

8180
But what's this? Only 100 blocks to hand!

8243
Tuesday. Plenty of blocks now, waiting to be laid.

8245
Inside the shed, somebody has been sitting down on the job - but it looks impressive!

 

8247
Wednesday. Paul Welsh at work, adding in the detail on the east side of No. 21.

8248
A close up of the work.

8252
At lunch time, Paul chats outside in the sun, with John.

8253
One garter almost finished.

8258
Back to work - and Paul checks detail before applying brush to timber.

8260
A study in concentration!

8262
Just going back to finish off more detail.

8265
Meanwhile John watches the world go 'round!

8266
The finished job - very impressive! All it needs is varnish to protect it.

8269
In the evening, Trefor checks diesel in No. 6.

8270
Malcolm discusses Trefor's legs in stockings and suspenders as viewed through the back sheet of No. 7. Trefor is not so sure!

8271
Thursday. Lez looks exhausted after laying just a few blocks!

8272
Lez calls on Paul, who is just about to varnish the carriage panels.

8297
Friday. Let the dog see the rabbit! Lez makes a late start on block laying.

8300
The completed lettering and garter on carriage No. 21.

8303
By evening, blockwork is well advanced.

8304
Saturday. No. 6 fumes with Malcolm!

8305
As a good trainee Guard, Nicholas Haslam cleans carriage windows...

8306
...while No. 7 is being prepared outside.

8308
On reflection, not bad for a cleaner...using steam oil!

8309
A promising sign - the air pump comes alive.

8310
Getting all steamed up - warming the cylinders!

8312
Drawing the train out of the engine shed.

8313
No. 21 sees daylight after the garters have been painted...

8314
...and the other side!

8315
John has arrived - and cuppa in hand, contemplates what to do!

8316
An illustration of the normal amount of clearance on the west side of the train, as it heads up to Corris.

8317
The almost completed, waterproofed and painted carriage No. 21 poses at Corris. Only a few internal arrangements need to be completed.

8319
Train crew meet Museum staff - Nicholas, Richard, Chris and Malcolm.

8323
Sam relaxes as Lez does the work!

8324
Dick works on the outer shutter for the penultimate section of east pit wall.

8325
By evening, the block wall is progressing well...

8326
...and the top of the outer shutter is in position on the east pit wall.

8328
Sunday. Trefor all kitted out to add treatment to the loco's water tank!

8330
The first Up train departs as clothes dry in the morning sun after a very wet night!

8334
Lez lays more blocks as the tub in the foreground is replenished with rain water accumulated in the pit.

8336
Work is going well, and the stored blocks are going down - or up on to the scaffold!

8337
Nicholas does a last minute bit of swotting before his Rules Test (passed comfortably)!

8338
Meanwhile, John entertains the passengers from the first train.

8339
By lunchtime, Lez has gone, but things are ready for him to call again!


Photographs taken on 22nd July 2007
Taken by John Arnold
Uploaded on 23/07/2007

 

007
Alf Oxford puts the museum clock right for the day.

012
The Brake Van and a heritage waggon spend the day in the siding.

015
Malcolm and Dave await the next set of passengers.

016
Steve Wheeler and David Coleman mix concrete...

017
...for
screeding.

018
No. 6 sits patiently in the yard.

019
The sun did come out in short spells during the day.

020
Richard Shipman prepares to shunt with No. 6.

024
No. 7 safely in the shed at the end of the day.


Photographs taken on 22nd July 2007
Taken by Richard Foyn
Uploaded on 23/07/2007

 

0001
Something afoot?

0002
No. Just Number 7 producing a bit of smoke inside the shed.

0003
The formation is all set up and ready to leave for Corris.

0005
Richard Shipman, Controller, Dave Kingman, Guard, and John Arnold, Assistant Guard, flag the train off on it's trip to Corris...

0008
...and then take up position in the guard's compartment of Carriage 21.

0011
Passing through Maespoeth Gate...

0012
...and approaching The Spinney.

0014
The shuttering progresses on the South-East side of the Carriage Shed.

0016
Controller Richard Shipman awaits the next train to arrive from Corris.


Photographs taken between 17th & 22nd July 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 23/07/2007

 

8119
Tuesday. Roger Gray is desperate for working space - here setting up in the car park at Corris!

8120
A trial fit of the sliding door in the Museum's bogie carriage - but nothing is square!

8121
The dumper has come into its own - moving gravel for the west edge floor screed of the Carriage Shed.

8122
Wednesday. Teddy Bear weekend material has arrived.

8123
Trefor is outside, emptying No. 7's bunker...

8125
...assisted by Malcolm...

8126
...who is removing two buckets of accumulated slack from the bunker.

8127
With a puff of smoke, No. 7 heads back into the shed.

8142
Thursday. Pit edge angle has been welded up and the next section of inside east pit wall shutter has been assembled in position.

8143
Two replacement planks for platform benches dry outside...

8144
...and display boards have been added to.

8145
A good collection of multi-coloured spare paint destined for the Carriage Shed has arrived!

8148
Also arrived is a tool cutter grinder, here waiting to be connected up.

8149
Friday. Paint dries on two refurbished platform benches...

8150
...and a plastic tube (for some reason...).

8151
Saturday. After being delayed by a road traffic accident, Richard Foyn and Dave Price make haste to catch up time before the first train.

8153
Services ducts for the Carriage Shed are in place.

8154
Barry Sleath entertains a group of visitors during one (very long and persistent) downpour.

8155
At the end of the day, Richard drives No. 7 back for stabling in the shed.

8159
Richard coals No. 7 to relieve the vertically challenged Dave Price, while Dick Kidner makes his farewell.

8161
Richard toots as he eases No. 7 into the shed (well, in practice, it was No. 7 that tooted, not...)

8164
Will he, or won't he?

8165
He did!

8167
Sunday. Richard Shipman moves lost shuttering panels on a trolley, which amuses Dave Gibson...

8168
Steve cuts mesh as concrete mixes during one of many showers in the afternoon!

8169
But the sun comes out occasionally.

8171
John Arnold (assistant guard) and Dave Kingman (guard) go off duty as No. 7 is made ready to be put away. Wrong formation - more works planned on carriages?

8172
An angel brings down a cuppa for the workers!

8173
The edge floor screed completed to the south end.

8174
Progress has been made on the wall shutter as well.

8175
An engine shed as it should be!

8176
A good supply of light fittings for the Carriage Shed has arrived...

8177
...together with switchgear and pit light fittings.


Photographs taken between 9th & 15th July 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 16/07/2007

 

8061
Monday. Lez takes a break before starting to lay blocks...

8065
...to the sound of power saws as the self-planted understorey is cut down on the mountain above Maespoeth, prior to the felling of the remaining trees. (Look carefully for three orange capes!).

8066
Sam can't bear to look as Lez prepares to lay the first mortar bed...

8067
...but then curiosity gets the better of him!

8070
Tuesday. Only one more panel to go to complete this section!

8073
As seen from the inside.

8077
Wednesday. Trefor prepares No. 7 for Saturday - stabled at the other end of the engine shed to usual.

8079
Suggestions for the design of the next loco?
You must be joking!

8080
Friday. Andy Cooper just starting to get to grips with completing the waterproofing of 21's roof.

8083
By evening, it was down to the finishing touches!

8087
Saturday. Trefor uses No. 7 to extract the carriages from the shed...

8089
...guarded by Helen.

8091
Preparing blockwork for Lez, first water is pumped from our storage tanks...

8092
...then the scaffold is moved and blocks set up to dry...

8093
...and a few bags of cement brought down.

8095
The remaining west side columns were grouted (at last!)...

8097
...and the area between cleaned up ready to extend the floor edge screed.

8100
Andy Cooper cleans up the corner of the engine shed - engine crew despoil at your peril!

8101
That is - after fabricating extensions to sign support steelwork, has been painted and is drying.

8103
Paul and Trefor move the jim crow down to the Carriage Shed...

8104
...and start to set up to straighten rails...
8105
...until Andy puts his head around the end of the shed, asking if anybody wants a cuppa!
8108
Afterwards, Andy sets up the sign board advertising the Teddy Bear's weekend on 4th/5th August.
8113
On Sunday, the last (for now) of the blockwork panels has been completed...
8115
...and the first of the track panels has been welded up - complete with trolley to carry materials!
8118
More engine shed tidying - you can now see the workbench top - let's hope it remains that way!
 

Photographs taken between 3rd & 8th July 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 12/07/2007

 

001
Tuesday. Lez is taken by surprise as Sam neglects his duties (as guard dog)!

006
Dick arrives to give Lez a hand with the next panel of blockwork.

007
Wednesday. Steel for the north gable doors of the Carriage Shed has arrived.

008
Three west side panels completed and scaffold and blocks ready for the next one. Even rails delivered for track panels!

011
Saturday. Lez starts laying bricks for the next panel of the Carriage Shed west wall.

012
John Trott converses with Dave Price while preparing No. 7 for the day's service.

013
Lez and Sam take a break from block laying.

014
Sam doesn't look happy at being blocked in!

015
Andy Cooper sorts out the stores in the S & T shed...

016
...while son Jack sorts nuts and bolts in the engine shed.

017
Graham makes adjustments to the milling machine clamp.

018
Meanwhile in the Museum, Rose plays host to the launch of the new edition of Slate Quarrying at Corris by Alun John Richards and Peter prepares to serve the nibbles.

019
Lez is just about to disappear from sight...

021
...while Ron Morris (Brian Roberts' QS) does a time and motion study on him!

024
In the engine shed, Graham de-burrs an axle box...

025
...while John takes it easy!

026
In Corris, the book launchers arrive to take a trip on the train...

027
...and at Maespoeth, listen to John Trott's shed talk.

029
Before returning to Corris, Alun John Richards poses on the footplate of No. 7.
045
Dave Price waters No. 7.
047
Sunday. Meinir chats with Malcolm while the two Dave's chat together (after Dave Ingram had been unblocking culverts) and Bob (in cab) does the work!
048
A good load on the last train with steam to spare!
049
On the final approach, Malcolm does a Harry Worth!
 

Photographs taken between 26th June & 1st July 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 02/07/2007

 

7952
Tuesday. In the evening, Trefor returns to the shed for a weedkiller refill.

7954
During the day, Huw Jones Brynmelin cut some of our new sleepers in half...

7955
...but there are a lot more left to do!

7961
Friday. Lez has secured one of the windows at the back of the shed - here awaiting timber cladding.

7962
Saturday. Steve has got the dumper going, but details need finishing - like a seat!

7963
Beavers have arrived in Corris - funny they weren't detected in the wildlife surveys!

7965
Ten fingered Dave Quinton and Trefor load steel beams ready to fabricate the supports for the pit rails in the Carriage Shed.

7969
The waggon is almost full.

7971
Lez stops the dumper from moving as Steve completes the finishing touches to it...

7972
...and disappear into a smoke haze as the engine springs to life...

7973
...and the hydraulics are tested to empty the bucket of accumulated water...

7974
...before it moves off to ferry materials to the Carriage Shed site.

7977
Malcolm arrives to discuss the No. 7's lubricator with Trefor.

7978
Meinir calls by to view progress!

7979
Lunchtime - and Adrian is drilling holes in the pit steel while the others get ready to resume work.

7981
By the end of a very wet day, the steelwork is ready to be exchanged with other undrilled steel outside.

7982
Most of the sleepers have now been cut...

7983
...including a few at varied lengths for pointwork.

7985
The north end bay of the carriage Shed has been scaffolded and the dumper is very handy for delivering blocks at the right level!

7986
Sunday. The air is very still - and nobody has told No. 7 about the smoking ban on 2nd April!

7988
The air is hanging heavy...

7989
...which requires the air line for the second week running, to get the fire burning the right way.

7990
Lez arrives to continue the blockwork.

7994
It's a very wet day - and Malcolm 'phones a friend before taking a down train.

7995
John Arnold continues painting the inside walls of the Carriage Shed, just as Lez has put the last block in the first panel of inside blocks of the west wall...

7998
...before coming outside to give the blocks their finishing touches.

7999
Many foxgloves line the sides of the trackbed.

8001
Steve has just arrived with another load of concrete blocks...

8002
...to add to the sand delivered earlier.

8003
John clears up after his painting efforts.

8004
In Corris, a rapidly moving shower is about to descend.

8006
Another healthy load of passengers returns to their train after the shed talk.

8009
By evening, the scaffold has been moved, loaded with blocks ready for Lez to weave his magic sheep poo hands again!


Photographs taken between 19th & 24th June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 25/06/2007

 

7911
Tuesday. A little bit more coal has arrived...

7912
(Wednesday)...and the latest bit of shuttering has been stripped from the east pit wall of the Carriage Shed.

7913
The end of the construction phase is drawing nearer...

7914
...and the last of the 100mm inner block walls for the first half of the shed has been completed.

7917
This looks suspicious!

7918
One of the dumper's hydraulic motors is out on the bench for attention.

7926
Saturday. The block lower inner leaf has been brought up to final height with bricks...

7927
...and the next wall section's reinforcement has been cut and fixed.

7929
Hopefully, the last load of 150mm blocks for the shed has been delivered.

7931
Paul adapting buffers destined to be fitted to No. 5 in due course.

7932
Sunday. The air is still - and the fire is not drawing. Recourse is had to the air line!

7935
Malcolm gives No. 7's chimney a final polish - before starting the air pump!

7939
Malcolm beats No. 7 for smoke production - outside the cab as required by law!

7940
But No. 7 is determined to compete!

7945
Not more tools dropped down the cavity???!!!

7946
Despite suffering an industrial injury with a splinter, Lez lays a mortar bed before the steel channel bracing is dropped on to it, while Paul looks on.

7947
Lunchtime - and Trefor toasts his rump while tucking in!

7950
Trefor and Malcolm enjoy the company of one of the children who have just attended the Cymanfa Ganu in the village, while waiting to operate the 4.00pm train.

7951
Bob Winchcome practices shunting with No. 6, under Trefor's watchful eye.

   

Photographs taken on 19th June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 20/06/2007

 

7892
Lez is blocking himself into a corner!

7893
The first of two loads of concrete swims back towards the Carriage Shed as Steve and Rob wait in the background.

7896
The first concrete is soon on its way!

7897
Steve aims to splash Richard Shipman's coat (successfully!).

7898
Rob and Richard watch Steve vibrating the new concrete.

7900
The second load of concrete starts off going into the wall...

7901
...the remainder going in the floor as the wall concrete is vibrated. The lorry moves off...

7902
The completed job...

7903
...a cup of tea, delivered by Richard Saffery!

7906
He has been clearing up in the engine shed, to great effect.

7909
While waiting for concrete, another layer of mesh has gone into the west wall, ready for more 100mm blocks to be laid in another bay.

7910
Let all know what is not to go in this skip!


Photographs taken on 16th & 17th June 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
Uploaded on 20/06/2007

 

0395
0395 - Replacing rotten sleepers in Maespoeth Yard. The replacements are standing on end to allow creosote substitute to soak in before they are put in the track

0396
0396 - In celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the Summer of Love, the carriage shed gains a psychedelic mural (!)

0398
0398 - Following leaks from the roof of carriage 21, Andy & Jack Cooper fit a waterproof lining.

0402
0402 - Richard Saffery helps Jack Cooper fit the new roof lining.

0404
0404 - Steve Wheeler was busy trying to get the dumper truck to work.

0406
0406 - the carriage shed west wall continues to rise.

0408
0408 - the east pit wall is ready for another concrete delivery

0410
0410 - seen from the Powys side of the valley, the carriage shed's wooden cladding will soon blend into the landscape.

 

Photographs taken on 16th & 17th June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 20/06/2007

 

7812
Great activity in Maespoeth Shed - Trefor polishes No. 7...

7814
...while Jack and Andy Cooper re-roof No. 21...

7816
...and Sam keeps guard over Lez, laying yet more concrete blocks.

7818
By lunchtime, the 150mm blocks are up to height along another bay.

7819
In the yard, Richard tests his knee, spot re-sleepering.

7820
Inside the Shed, Dave Ingram and John Reynard discuss the finer points of machine tools.

7822
Richard Saffery joins in on the roof work...

7823
...while Steve Wheeler works on the dumper...

7824
...and Richard has moved on to hedge trimming while listening to the test match.

7831
Later, John and Steve take a break while Richard starts on another sleeper.

7832
That's torn it! Jack removes protective coverings as Richard Saffery fixes more roof.

7833
Shunting stock, Trefor wonders who has left a trolley in the yard.

7838
John relaxes while the milling machine does its work and Paul Bailey works on the radial drill.

7839
Who the b****y hell left this steam loco here!?

7843
Richard Saffrey waves to Trefor, shunting No. 7 and train ready for the morning.

7877
Sunday. Helen gives the guided tour to some of the passengers.

7878
Malcolm seeks what breeze there is!

7880
The spot resleepering has moved on down the yard.

7882
Richard drills spike holes.

7883
An Up train heads back to Corris, as seen from the Carriage Shed.

7885
At the end of the day, the carriages are shunted into the shed, as seen from the cab of No. 7.

7888
Steve is still working on the dumper!

7889
New shelving has appeared to tidy the Museum displays...

7890
...and the bogie carriage remains are approaching a reasonable reconstruction at one end.


Photographs taken between 9th & 15th June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 20/06/2007

 

7706
Sunday. More timber for the Carriage Shed and baby food for No. 7 has been delivered!

7707
No. 7 eases up towards its train for the first Up run, supervised by Dave Price...

7708
...and soon departs northwards.

7709
The Pig is warmed from both sides!

7711
John Arnold paints steelwork on the Carriage Shed, as seen from high up in the forestry above Maespoeth.

7713
The view towards Corris and Aberllefenni.

7798
Friday. Corris Institute was formally re-opened and the main street was crowded as in past days. Richard Rugog waits in his lorry for the ceremony to finish!

7802
Mrs Meinir Owen, Chairman of Gwynedd Council, accompanied by our own Cllr Gretta Jones and AM, Dafydd Elis Thomas, performed the opening ceremony, here seen posing for photographs.

7805
Our Local Policeman finds a friend to 'phone!

7807
It was announced that the Corris & District Silver Band had been re-formed. Here they give their first concert (and make a plea for more players...)...

7808
...with Mrs Lloyd listening in under a clock dedicated to the late William John Lloyd, above the fire he used to sit by.

7809
There was a good crowd present (with many more upstairs!).


Photographs taken on 3rd June 2007
Taken by Peter Oxford
Uploaded on 14/06/2007

 

027
Paul Oxford (my nephew) and his fiancee Brooke from Canberra, Australia get their first view of the Tattoo locomotive formation.

029
Paul, Brooke, Diane (Paul's aunt), Pauline, (Paul's other aunt and my sister-in-law) and Graham (Diane's husband) on the down trip to Maespoeth.

030
The Tattoo gets fed and watered by Stan Knight.

066
Brooke and Paul on the return journey to Corris.

   

Photographs taken on 5th & 6th June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 11/06/2007

 

7612
Tuesday. Sam alerts Lez to an intruder...

7613
...who has come down to photograph Lez...

7614
...working!

7615
During the day, the light hinges of the gate have been replaced with stronger ones.

7616
By evening, the next layer of blocks is finished over 5 bays.

7617
The end shutter is finished.

7618
Wednesday. The shutter including holding down bolt assembly, is ready for concrete - when we can get some!

   

Photographs taken between 29th May & 3rd June 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 04/06/2007

 

7588
The roof water drainage completed so far on the west side of the Carriage Shed.

7589
On Tuesday, Lez laid the first of the innermost leaf of blocks on the west wall.

7594
Saturday. Trefor and Roger clean No. 7 in preparation for the day's services.

7596
Jason's wall has been painted!

7597
Trefor had been struggling to make steam, so had to resort to the air line (foreground).

7598
Mike and Steve extend the west side floor edge screed - in progress...

7599
...and completed.

7602
Concrete mixing continued, to fill up the cavity between inner and middle leaves of blockwork on the west wall of the shed.

7603
Sunday. Alan is about to give the "Right Away" at 10.00 for the first train up to Corris.

7604
A man bearing (very welcome) gifts!

7605
Richard was supposed to be filling the cavity with concrete!

7606
Mike and Steve get on with fixing the shutter for the next section of east pit wall.

7607
Finished the cement, gravel and wall filling by lunch time.

7608
The train crew relax between trains - Dave, Stan and Malcolm.

7609
By evening, the shutter had been stripped from the edge screed, and Steve had extracted his trailer from beyond the far end of the shed.

7610
The east pit wall shutter only needs the end on again, and we are ready for concrete.

7611
The general view.

 

Photographs taken between 17th & 28th May 2007
Taken by David Coleman
Uploaded on 01/06/2007

 

01
On Thursday night, after leaks had been discovered in Carriage 21's roof last weekend, Trefor and Malcolm finish off a fresh coat of paint.

02
Corris Craft Centre proclaims its 25th anniversary of opening.

03
Road side signs have been put out to attract interest in the school "Race the Train" on Saturday.

1001
Saturday. Dave, Trefor, Sheila, Rob and Andrew exchange banter before the first Up train departs Maespoeth.

 

1002
The banter persists as Dick and Sheila guard on the departing train.

1005
The locomotive is steaming well!

1006
Lez is mixing mortar and laying blocks while sand is being sifted and blocks (and scaffolding) moved in the Carriage Shed.

1007
Dave and Dick wave off the second Up train. Half of a coach party from the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway have just arrived.

1008
Plenty of atmosphere as No. 7 moves off!

1011
Race the Train - one of the first of the youngsters in the first race rounds the cone as No. 7 heads southwards.

1013
Sheila and Dyfrig look on as the adult race takes place.

1014
That's strange! The cone appears to have moved - but then, Trefor didn't go back to his turning point, either!

1015
The Races over, No. 7 is flagged down by Sheila on the supposed last Down train - except it was full of race participants!

1017
Some of the participants - some in party mode!

1018
Andrew waters No. 7 after a number of return runs participating in the races!

1020
No. 7 returning the children to Corris.

1022
To finish off the afternoon, Trefor attends to No. 7's lubricator.

1023
One little job not recorded before, the advertising boards have been re-erected at Maespoeth after alterations to the fencing resulting from the Carriage Shed works.

7528
During the week, Steve Wheeler has been working on the surface water drainage system for the west side of the Carriage Shed...

7529
...which included a new manhole...

7530
...discharging into the main drainage system.

04
Saturday. The first Up passenger train of the day awaits the boarding of the last of the passengers...

7531
...before heading northwards in a cloud of steam.

7533
In the Engine Shed, Dave Quinton is changing gears on the vertical mill...

7534
...while Adrian welds more pit steel columns for the Carriage Shed.

7535
Having got the mill going, Dave machines another part for a screw coupling...

7536
...until Adrian tells him he is machining his mug!

7540
Later, Dave cleans up the last of the rafters.

7542
Richard has been busy, cleaning up the Ballast Loading dock.

7544
The surface water drainage has been extended as rain is forecast for tomorrow...

7545
...and the Pig was taking no chances!

7546
Sunday. Dave paints the rafter cleaned yesterday.

7547
Barry Sleath (the Shed Talker for the weekend) takes notes between trains.

7549
The rafter is finished!

7551
Dave goes back to machining screw coupling parts...

7552
...while Paul Bailey sets up to tack the last pit column...

7555
...which Adrian later finishes off...

7553
...leaving Paul to clean up.

 

7557
The completed columns line up in ranks, awaiting their last colleague.

7558
Outside, Richard is filling the scrap skip...

7559
...while Trefor has just emptied his lunch box!

7560
Later, Richard replaces the old oil tank in its place after the end has been cut out.

7561
But before doing so, he set up a screen so that no-one could observe his hobble!

7562
Down at the Carriage Shed, the north end land drain had been excavated, cleaned out and replaced.

7563
Inside, one of the channel bracings had been raised to pass reinforcement mesh behind the columns - with difficulty!

7564
Outside, many hands arrive to help Richard...

7565
No. 7 arrives back at Maespoeth with a beaming Chris, who had just driven it back from Corris.

7568
Trefor eases No. 7 ready for disposal while much discussion is centred by those around the oil tank...

7570
...who later emerge from the mist as Trefor blows down!

7572
The channel has been lowered into position and bolted, and during recovery of the hoist the pudger dropped down the cavity. This was how it was recovered!

7573
The finished reinforcement mesh job from inside.

7574
Four pit columns and short longitudinals have been set up to check dimensions for future fabrication.

7577
Monday. The line-up looks impressive!

 

7580
Between trains, two Richards shunt while Steve controls.

7581
The completed train moves forward...

7582
...before setting back.

7583
By evening, after the floor had been cleared, about 200 blocks had been brought down ready to be laid in the last leaf of the west wall.

7585
To make space in the shed, the pit columns have been moved out...

7586
...into the Heritage rake, re-formed for the first time since last autumn!


 


Photographs taken on Monday 28th May 2007
(Some people had a wet Bank Holiday Monday, but in Corris the sun was shining)
Taken by Richard Greenhough
Uploaded on 31/05/2007

 

0371
The NE corner of the carriage shed with its wooden cladding. The concrete will eventually be covered by landscaping.

0373
Phase One of the carriage shed is nearing completion.

0374
The eastern side of the carriage shed. When Phase Two is completed it will double its length.

0376
The stack of newly-delivered sleepers waiting to be cut in half and used in the track.

0377
Carriage 207 and Loco 8 wait their chance to be brought into the sheds for restoration.

0391
Andrew Rawlins' Land Rover is pressed into service to move blocks into the shed.

0387
Landy with blocks unloaded.

0388
Landy looks at home in the shed - could the carriages have a rival for their new home ?

0390
The size of the shed is apparent with Landy to provide scale.

0393
The welding team has finished fabricating the pillars to support the rails over the pit in the carriage shed. Now we need volunteers to form a painting team !

0372
Passengers being shown around the yard above the carriage shed southern extension.

0394
Barry Sleath holds forth to the passengers while delivering the shed talk.


Photographs taken over the weekend of 26th, 27th & 28th May 2007
Taken by Alf Oxford
Uploaded on 29/05/2007

 

0002
Adrian carries on welding - working on the metalwork for the pit.

0003
Another truss awaits painting.

0005
David Coleman prepares the ground for the drainage pipework on the West of the Carriage Shed.

0006
Trefor investigates a small leak on the loco - nothing serious.

0010
Steve Clarke answers some tricky questions posed by these two young visitors.

0012
This little girl was fascinated by the noise of coins falling into the bucket. (THANK YOU!).

0014
Our friend Mike Goodwin paid us a visit with some friends from Aberystwyth.

0016
As did members Crispin, Melanie and Joseph Butler from Aylesbury.

0019
Malcolm brings the passenger train back into Corris station.


Photographs taken on 19th & 20th May 2007
Taken by Alf Oxford
Uploaded on 21/05/2007

 

0071
Saturday saw a special visit by a coach party of our good friends from Welshpool earlier on followed by ....

0077
... "Race the Train" along with the Corris School after lunch.

0078
Some parents (and brothers & sisters) took advantage of being able to watch their children running.

0079
A final sprint to the line for this young man to beat the train back to Corris.

0080
There were other attractions and i
n between races some children had their faces painted by Alison.

0082
One of the many races - almost ready for "the off".

0091
The Museum sports a smart new sign nowadays.

0103
On Sunday, Peter Guest was busily working on the seating for Van 220...

0105
...before turning his attention to the roof.


Photographs taken on 5th, 6th & 7th May 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
Over the course of the MayDay weekend, the north wall of the carriage shed approached completion.
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

500321
0321 5/5/07 On the Saturday morning there were still some courses of blocks remaining to be laid.

510324
0324 5/5/07 Looking north from inside the shed, there was still plenty of daylight to be seen through the north end.

520359
0359 6/5/07 By the Sunday evening, the blockwork was complete - seen from the inside…..

530360
0360 6/5/07……and from the outside.

540361
0361 7/5/07 On the Monday afternoon, with the mortar on the blocks having dried, work was under way to fit the timber cladding. Here Steve saws planks to shape.

550363
0363 7/5/07 Planks being attached to the wall.

560364
0364 7/5/07 Mike peers up through the scaffolding.

570366
0366 7/5/07 Welsh slate and glass….a roof based on the design of the railway's original carriage shed at Corris Station.

580367
0367 7/5/07 The cladding reaches the doorway.

590369
0369 7/5/07 Stereo hammering !

600370
0370 7/5/07 The east wall is now fully clad with timber; soon the scaffolding will come down.

 

Photographs taken on 5th & 6th May 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough

Ex-Trecwn bogie waggon 222 has been sitting on the ballast dock for the last two years, waiting for its wheelsets to be re-gauged. On the Saturday the bogie frames were brought up to the hoist and the wheelsets lowered into place.
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

430342
0342 5/5/07 Once the wheelsets are in the bogie frame, the hoist is used to turn the bogie unit over…..

440344
0344 5/5/07 ….and ease it down onto the 2'3" rails for the first time.

450345
0345 5/5/07 No.5 collects the bogie, while the waggon body waits patiently in the background.

460347
0347 6/5/07 On the Sunday the re-assembled bogies were eased under the waggon body and No.5 hauled it onto the rails.

470349
0349 6/5/07 Waggon 222 carries its first payload - a load of sleepers delivered to the car park.

480352
0352 6/5/07 With the brakegear on 222 not yet re-gauged, No.6 is brought up to provide additional braking power to bring the waggon down the steeply-graded Upper Corris Tramway siding……

490356
0356 6/5/07 …..and park it on the Brynllwyd headshunt. Now it is mobile it will be able to be brought into the carriage shed in due course for full restoration.

   

Photographs taken on 5th May 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
A few weeks later…..and the sun is STILL shining !
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

360308
0308 5/5/07 Trains normally run with the loco at the Maespoeth end due to the limited platform length at Corris Station. Here the train is running up Maes-y-Llan Bank towards Corris….

370310
0310 5/5/07….with the loco at the rear....

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0311 5/5/07….approaching Braichgoch Farm Crossing….

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0313 5/5/07….pausing to fit the safety mirror on the crossing….

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0314 5/5/07….and then proceeding over the crossing….

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0315 5/5/07….and rounding Pioneer Curve….

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0317 5/5/07….into Corris Station.

   

Photographs taken on 15th April 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
On 15th April the weather was typically Corris - warm and sunny (!) -
and No.7 paused in the Spinney en route to Corris with the empty coaching stock for photographs.
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

180126
0126 15/4/07 First she had to get up steam….

190128
0128 15/4/07…..and collect the carriages…..

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0130 15/4/07…..before heading up the line to Bluetit Curve…..

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0132 15/4/07….and rounding the curve…..

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0134 15/4/07…and over Nant Garwood…..

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0135 15/4/07….into the Spinney.

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0143 15/4/07 No.7 passes a length of traditional slate fencing….

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0144 15/4/07….with a short train made up of Carriage 22 and Van 204.

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0153 15/4/07 Passing the gnarled deciduous trees…..

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0154 15/4/07 ….with the coniferous forest in the background…..

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0155 15/4/07….and rounding the bend…..

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0156 15/4/07 ….over the culvert.

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0159 15/4/07 A pause for the photographer - don't try this shot when the train is moving!

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0161 15/4/07 Setting off again for Corris….

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0162 15/4/07….and passing over Braichgoch Farm Crossing….

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0163 15/4/07….entering Pioneer Curve…..

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0166 15/4/07….and passing Holy Trinity Church on the way into Corris Station.

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0172 15/4/07 Back at Maespoeth No.7 shunts to form the regular passenger train.


Photographs taken between 9th April & 5th May 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
The surrounds of Corris Station have other points of interest
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

130069
0069 9/4/07 This is where young aspiring engine drivers can start…..

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0071 9/4/07 …..while keeping an eye on the real thing !

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0168 15/4/07 Driver's eye view.

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0124 14/4/07 Mark & Dickon help to put up the restored poster board advertising our neighbours….with Corris No.4 prominent on the poster.

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0304 5/5/07 The station has a new nameboard…..

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0305 5/5/07 ….and looks a picture as it waits for the first train of the day.


Photographs taken between 9th April & 5th May 2007
Taken by Richard Greenhough
Over the winter the Museum building at Corris has had its roof repaired and new timber end-boarding fitted.
Uploaded on 14/05/2007

 

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0055 9/4/07 The new timber with a coat of Corris Brown paint on the south end of the building.

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0056 9/4/07 The rear of the building - the repaired roof is on the hayloft section to the right.

030057
0057 9/4/07 A close-up of the southern end of the building.

040045
0045 8/4/07 To match the repairs to the rear, the woodwork on the front of the building has also received a much-needed coat of paint. First the undercoat…..

050046
0046 8/4/07 …then John Arnold applies the top-coat.

060054
0054 8/4/07 Steady progress……

070058
0058 9/4/07 ….and a smart result.