Corris Railway Society members attending the Annual General Meeting at the Corris Institute on October 24th were delighted to see a general arrangement and other engineering drawings for the next steam locomotive to be built as part of the revival of the historic Welsh narrow gauge line.

The engine, which is already allocated the number 10 in the Corris’ locomotive fleet, will be a recreation of the original Railway’s numbers 1 to 3, popularly known as the “Falcons”. The project was launched in the Spring of 2008 and since then work on producing a set of the all-important engineering drawings has been carried out by Graham Morris of Graham Morris Engineering Limited and David Potter of Bromstead Services. Despite extensive enquiries no copies of the drawings for the original engines now exist, possibly not surprisingly given that they were built in Loughborough in 1878 at the Falcon Works by the Hughes Locomotive and Tramway Engine Works.

Of the Victorian trio number 1 was set aside in 1913 and number 2 by the late 1920’s with parts from both being cannibalised to keep number 3 operational (alongside number 4 which was built to a different design in 1921). The Corris line finally closed in 1948 but number 3 went to a new life on the Talyllyn Railway where further modifications have been made to the engine.

Number 10 will recreate the appearance of a “Falcon” in Corris days but the Corris Railway Society would like to acknowledge and thank the Talyllyn Railway for assisting Graham Morris in the examination of number 3 at Tywyn and for help with preparation of the drawings.

The overall cost of building the new locomotive is likely to be of the order of £250,000 and the Corris Railway Society is raising funds both by seeking sponsorship of individual components or by regular smaller contributions made by Standing Order. Some sales items to help with fund-raising including badges, limited edition prints and drawings are available. More information can be obtained from Peter Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS (stamped self-addressed envelope appreciated) or via peterg@corris.co.uk.

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