For Christopher Awdry stories about Railway Engines large and small have always been part of his life. When your father creates the “Thomas” stories and tells them to you at bedtime and in later life you take over the creating of more tales about the little blue engine, his friends and the Island of Sodor then it is fair to say that two generations of the Awdry family can be counted as masters of their art.

However it is a lesser known fact that Christopher has written stories about other Railways too. There are a number telling of the events and adventures on a miniature line and one based on the Corris Railway too. Christopher is President of the Corris Railway Society and has taken a keen interest in the revival of the historic narrow gauge line in Mid Wales so it was only natural that he should soon write a story about the engines on the railway. “Hugh Goes Sliding”, illustrated by Jonathan Clay, has been on sale at the Corris Railway and via the Society’s online shop for a while but now the Railway is offering visitors a chance to meet one of the two main engine characters on Sunday May 17th.

The engine is “Kerr”, who is looking forward to taking lots of children and their parents for a ride between Corris Station and Maespoeth Junction and perhaps seeing a small Circus Train along the way. They will also be able to hear the story of “Hugh’s” mishap and how “Kerr” came to the rescue and find out how the Railway plans to have “Hugh” helping “Kerr” once again with the trains in the future.

Corris Railway Society Chairman David Coleman commented ““Kerr” Day will mark the end of an eventful start to May for the Railway. On May 9th we have the formal opening of the new carriage shed at Maespoeth and the official launch of our southern extension project and then May 17th sees an entirely new venture for us, bringing to life a character from a children’s story”.

“Kerr” will take his first train load of passengers from Corris Station at 11.00 a.m. and the last trip will depart at 4.00 p.m.

FOR COMMENT ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT: John Simms on 01823 323106 or via john.com@wsrail.net.
Corris is five miles north of Machynlleth and eleven miles south of Dolgellau in Mid-Wales.
Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9SH