The weather in the Dulas Valley defied the forecasters and the sun shone down for most of Saturday May 9th as the revival of the Corris Railway passed another important milestone with the formal opening of the new carriage shed at Maespoeth Junction and the launch of the Railway’s Southern Extension Appeal.

The Corris’ steam engine number 7, a modern recreation of number 4 on the original railway, ran a shuttle service between Corris Station and Maespoeth, starting at 10.00 a.m. and ending just after 11.30 a.m. By the time the opening ceremony commenced at midday over 150 people were comfortably placed inside the shed and after a religious blessing and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque a two coach train was propelled through a ceremonial tape and into the southern end of the shed. Invited guests and Corris Railway Society members then enjoyed a buffet lunch inside the shed as train services resumed to take the morning visitors back to Corris and to bring more passengers to Maespoeth.

The Southern Extension Appeal is another step in the Railway’s plans to extend its running line from the present three quarters of a mile to a point where it will offer a two and a half trip between Corris station and the Forestry Commission Picnic Site and Walks at Tan-y-Coed. The CR has already acquired a large quantity of track materials for this although in the immediate future track work will go into completing the layout at Maespoeth. However May 9th saw some generous cheques handed over from well-wishers keen to support the next stage of the revival and the Corris also has a scheme in place whereby anyone who wishes to do so can make regular payments, small or large, by standing order. Details can be obtained from the Corris Railway Museum or by post from CRS, 42 Bluebell Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XQ.

Reflecting on the opening day Corris Railway Society Chairman David Coleman said “The construction of the Carriage Shed has been a remarkable achievement for a small Society such as ours. In under four years we have progressed from a decision to be able to keep our predominately wooden carriages and wagons under cover to having a building that will offer both storage and a facility to maintain and build stock for the future. It has been a major effort by the fund-raisers and construction teams and thanks are due to both them and the support of local authorities also. Visitors on May 9th could see the skeleton of our next passenger coach on display and gain a further idea that we are not going to rest on our laurels in our 150th Anniversary Year. Our next event in that programme is on Sunday May 17th when we stage “Meet “Kerr” Day” our bringing to life one of the engine characters in a children’s book. This was specially written for us by our President Christopher Awdry who is of course well-known for the tales about “Thomas” and the railways of the Island of Sodor.”

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.