The new steam loco under construction for the Corris Railway at Winson Engineering in Daventry is taking shape. Based on the design of Corris Railway No.4 (built in 1921 by Kerr Stuart as a modified member of their “Tattoo” class and now operating on the Talyllyn Railway in the guise of “Peter Sam”),  the new loco, Corris No.7, is being funded by covenanted subscriptions by members of the Corris Railway Society. Orders are placed for each part of the loco as funds become available. It has now reached the stage of a rolling chassis, with boiler, firebox and smokebox fabricated and construction of the chimney and cylinders in progress.

Originally specified for oil-firing, due to the close proximity of dense woodlands to the Corris route, the Society is now considering the practicalities of having the loco readily convertible between oil and coal firing, following the successful experiment of the Ffestiniog Railway with “Taliesin”. The Society would like to hear from anyone interested in giving financial assistance to speed the completion of the locomotive.

Work on the railway, where the new loco is expected to enter service early in the new century, is continuing steadily. The initial passenger services will be diesel-hauled, and the heavy overhaul of loco No.6 (Ruston 518493 of 1966), ready for commencement of services, is now complete. Air-braking has been installed on this loco, together with the railway’s carriage and brake-van, and successful tests with the braking equipment have been carried out on the line during the autumn.

Removal of a road access ramp installed by the Forestry Commission after the railway’s closure has enabled the Society to remodel the yard at its engineering headquarters at Maespoeth. This has included the installation of a concrete apron for delivering and loading ballast. With this complete, a major programme of ballasting and tamping is scheduled over the next few months to complete the track between Corris and Maespoeth to the necessary standard for passenger services. The Society is always keen to welcome new volunteers to help with this work.

 
For more information visit our web-site at :
"www.corris.co.uk"

RSG December 1999