Reasons for having a second locomotive.
Back in 2006 discussion centred around the idea of having another locomotive on the Corris Railway. A second locomotive would take pressure off the `Tattoo’ when maintenance and repair work became necessary, especially important when it came to the 10 year overhaul of the Tattoo. This might happen as soon as 2015. The boiler would be out for several months while the tubes were removed. Additionally, by having a second locomotive, the work involved in operating the railway could be shared.

What sort of locomotive would we have?
To build another Tattoo might be considered sensible because the design had been accepted by HMRI, but the opportunity to build a locomotive which would closely resemble the original Corris No.3, a Falcon, although fraught with difficulties, was an opportunity not to be missed. To have an appropriately modernised replica of a Falcon would be an advantage to give the railway variety in motive power. Our photo charter friends would love it, the visual display would be more satisfying than two identical twins and it would improve the profile of the railway as a national tourist attraction.
After a poll of the CRS members the decision was taken in the spring of 2007 to build a replica of No 3.

Lack of plans for No 3.
The builder of Corris locomotives 1, 2 & 3 delivered in November 1878, was the Hughes’ Locomotive & Tramway Engine Works, Loughborough. It eventually became the Brush Electrical Machines Ltd, Falcon Works, Loughborough and still exists today. The researcher George Toms assured the Society that no plans exist of the locomotive. To obtain drawings the extant locomotive at the Talyllyn Railway must be surveyed (with permission).

Appointment of design & build consultants.
Reluctantly our Tattoo Locomotive consultant, Colin Blackwell, had decided for family reasons to take a back seat with regard to the Falcon Project. Fortunately Graham Morris, our boiler inspector, agreed to take responsibility for the project along with a colleague of his, David Potter. In August 2008 they began work on producing drawings by visiting the museum at Corris and then travelling on to Pendre, Tywyn to meet David Scotson (Chief Mechanical Engineer) and John Bate (former Chief Engineer) of the Talyllyn Railway. So began the complicated task of surveying the locomotive and producing drawings. This lasted for nine months and in September 2009 the drawings were complete at a cost of £26,000.

Funding.
Society members were encouraged to make a gift aided one-off donation or donations by standing order and by November 2008 the fund had reached £22,000. Nineteen members had taken out standing orders. Since then members have been encouraged to sponsor parts of the loco and a list of parts is included below.

Manufacture of the Locomotive.
The decision was taken in 2009 to make the boiler the first item to be built and our two consultants obtained a suitable quote (one of several) from Israel Newton, a 200 year old firm of boiler-makers in Bradford, for £31,250.00 plus VAT. Click here to see this being reported in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Progress to date.
The boiler should be complete by March 2011 together with castings of boiler components and various patterns.

SUPPORT THE FALCON LOCOMOTIVE FUND TODAY TO FURTHER SECURE THE FUTURE AND HERITAGE OF THE CORRIS RAILWAY IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

Various parts of the locomotive are already being fabricated and the initial set of parts for which sponsorship is being sought are as follows:

Item	Cost (each)	Qty required in total	Individual item to sponsor	Please click button to sponsor the item(s)
Wheel centre pattern	£738	1	1
Wheel centre casting	£543	4	1 of 4
Wheel centre casting	£543	4	2 of 4
Wheel centre casting	£543	4	3 of 4
Wheel centre casting	£543	4	4 of 4
Cylinder block pattern (handed, both hands)	£2,880	1	1
Cylinder casting	£865	2	1 of 2
Cylinder casting	£865	2	2 of 2
Steam chest cover pattern	£20	1	1
Steam chest cover casting	£55	2	1 of 2
Steam chest cover casting	£55	2	2 of 2
Cylinder cover leading pattern	£110	1	1
Cylinder cover leading casting	£56	1	1
Cylinder cover trailing pattern	£485	1	1
Cylinder cover trailing casting	£78	2	1 of 2
Cylinder cover trailing casting	£78	2	2 of 2
Piston rod gland pattern	£38	1	1
Piston rod gland casting	£27	2	1 of 2
Piston rod gland casting	£27	2	2 of 2
Valve rod gland pattern	£38	1	1
Valve rod gland casting	£25	2	1 of 2
Valve rod gland casting	£25	2	2 of 2
Hornblock pattern	£548	1	1
Hornblock casting	£122	4	1 of 4
Hornblock casting	£122	4	2 of 4
Hornblock casting	£122	4	3 of 4
Hornblock casting	£122	4	4 of 4
Axlebox pattern	£235	1	1
Axlebox casting	£150	4	1 of 4
Axlebox casting	£150	4	2 of 4
Axlebox casting	£150	4	3 of 4
Axlebox casting	£150	4	4 of 4
Keep pattern	£15	1	1
Keep casting	£38	4	1 of 4
Keep casting	£38	4	2 of 4
Keep casting	£38	4	3 of 4
Keep casting	£38	4	4 of 4
Frame stay pattern set	£425	1	1
Chimney pattern	£650	1	1
Firebar pattern	£20	1	1
Dome pattern	£1,250	1	1
Casting set (frame & boiler components)	£1,800	1	1

If you would like to make a general donation to the Falcon Locomotive Appeal Fund by credit card or PayPal then please click on this button.