Aided by a substantial grant from Gwynedd Council's Slate Valleys Regeneration Initiative, the Corris Railway has taken great strides in the first part of the year 2000 towards its goal of recommencing passenger services.

Full ballasting of the 2'3" gauge track from Corris Station to Maespoeth Junction has been completed, with diesel locos 5 Alan Meaden (Motor Rail 22258 of 1965) and 6 (Ruston 518493 of 1966) running shuttle services from the loading area at Maespoeth to the work site. Following approval of the railway's Rule Book from H.M. Railway Inspectorate, the opportunity has been taken to train volunteers in the use of the rules as applied to multi-train operation during these workings.

Once the main line had been ballasted, the temporary track layout in the yard at Maespoeth was removed, to allow a JCB to level the area, install a septic tank for the new toilet block, and spread bottom ballast throughout the site. The yard has now been completely re-laid, using new sleepers and heavier rail, and leveling and ballasting to complete the layout is under way. An area of the adjacent field has been purchased, allowing provision to be made in the track layout for the future installation of a passing loop - H.M.R.I. have agreed that initial services from Corris to Maespoeth can be run on a push-pull basis pending a solution to the limited space currently available at Corris. Work has also commenced on the construction of a platform alongside the engine shed at Maespoeth.

Near Corris, two new retaining walls have been constructed - one below the line, where the existing embankment was crumbling, the other above it, where a road serving resident's garages was inadequately supported.

Currently, the railway hopes to be able to recommence passenger services next year, initially using loco No.6 with carriage 20 and brake van 204, all of which have now been fitted with a continuous air-braking system.

Two original Corris metal-bodied waggons have been restored and returned to service. A replica of the unique Corris slab waggon - based on the only surviving original in the Corris Railway Museum - will shortly join them, to be followed by a restored wooden-sided waggon, giving the prospect of replicating the mixed trains run on the original railway.

Design work is under way for a new range of bogie carriages, which in appearance and size will closely mirror the railway's original vehicles, but using modern construction techniques. The chassis design is being adapted from the Talyllyn Railway's standard bogie chassis, altered to reflect the shorter overall length of the Corris vehicles. Together with the new steam locomotive No.7, based on the design of Corris No.4 and currently under construction at Winson Engineering of Daventry, the new carriages will create the appearance of an authentic Corris train of the 1920s.

The Corris Railway Society is delighted to announce that "Thomas" author Christopher Awdry has agreed to become the Society's President, following a series of successful book-readings at the Society's annual Model Railway Exhibition in Machynlleth over the August Bank Holiday weekend. In addition, Elfyn Llwyd, M.P. for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, has agreed to become a Vice-President. Sir George White, whose grandfather and great-grandfather were directors of the original Corris Railway Company, and his wife Lady White, whose grandfather was also a director of the Company, have also agreed to become Vice-Presidents, so providing a personal and tangible link to the original Corris Railway.

The Society has recently acquired a quantity of 7.5" gauge track and individual members have purchased and built locomotives and rolling stock to operate on it. This had its first public run in connection with the Society's barbeque in Corris over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, laid out in the school car park adjacent to Corris Station, and is now available to transport to sites to give rides and help publicize the railway.

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

RSG June 2000