Rheilffordd Corris Railway

In the Heart of the Land of the Little Trains

×

Home
About Us
Shop
More Information
News
How To Find Us

Author: David Coleman

Photographs taken between 22nd July and 20th August 2024

24th August 202423rd August 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Monday, 22.7.2024. The drop-side waggon restored by Adrian and the Tuesday Gang is loaded onto road transport to take to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, so that the body can be rivetted professionally in due course.

Monday, 29.7.2024. No. 10 is eased off road transport at Maespoeth under many watchful eyes ...

... back onto Corris metals. (Photo courtesy of Richard Evans).

Meanwhile, Theo (and Zach) are preparing carriage No. 24 for painting ...

Tuesday, 30.7.2024. ... with Zach assembling seats.

Sunday, 4.8.2024. Zach drives No. 10 away from Maespoeth on the empty stock working to Corris ...

... before returning to the Carriage Shed to varnish the newly assembled vestibule seat for carriage No. 24.

Doors and partitions have been primed and are lined up for further work in due course.

Tuesday, 6.8.2024. The base for the new signal on the approach to Maespoeth has been finished, and has been bolted in position.

The advertising board for the Model Railway Exhibition in Machynlleth at the Bank Holiday weekend, has been erected.

Saturday, 10.8.2024. Andrew enjoys his birthday ride on No. 10 as others push the locomotive across on the traverser at Corris ...

... and on a later train at Maespoeth, engages the attention of some young passengers! (Posted with permission of the parents).

Tuesday, 20.8.2024. - 76 years since the operation of the last train on the original railway. The Maespoeth Running-in Board receives some tlc ...

... as has the machine shop in the past weeks.

The final details of the replacement Signal Box steps receive careful consideration!

Photographs taken between 25th June and 18th July 2024

6th August 20246th August 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Southern Extension Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project Tuesday, 25.6.2024 The bottom of the north end of the new embankment has been trimmed to shape ...

... while near the south end of the deviation works, the surveyor fights his way through the undergrowth to record levels on his last day of site work.

Thursday, 18.7.2024 The very last loads of suitable filling material have been delivered and stock-piled on site. Hopefully, they will start to be used very shortly!

Friday, 5.7.2024 . No. 7 is steamed, and Jack has arranged a headboard for "Race the Train" with Ysgol Corris ...

... but first we have to wait by the school.

After the first races with the infants, older pupils run - with encouragement from their teachers. The train is still reversing down!

The later trains (for older pupils to run) are well occupied by parents, class mates and others offering encouragement.

The final trains (for oldest pupils and later, adults) go much further, and there is more prospect of the train being competitive ...

... as it vigorously breasts the grade on the run into Corris ...

... but at least the driver won a medal for competing!

Monday, 8.7.2024. The TR has arranged a Photo Charter featuring Falcon engines ...

... with No. 3 leading the cavalcade at Pendre ...

... with No. 10 and Corris stock bringing up the rear, here at Rhydyronen where the train was divided ...

... with separate run-pasts of the two locos and trains ...

... in turn ...

... it was then move further up the line for further opportunities ...

... such as this ...

... before moving on to Dolgoch, where our presence was announced!

No. 3 watered at the new water column and moved on while No. 10 posed by the old one (and later, took water there) ...

... before each train set performed run-pasts ...

... in turn.

Finally, it was on to Ty Dwr, where the locos were posed in turn taking water ...

... or running past in the gathering gloom.

It was then to Nant Gwernol, where the train was re-formed, with No. 3 running past No. 10 ...

... and the waggons and van re-shunted by hand ...

... to create a completely re-arranged train for the return to Tywyn.

Tuesday, 9.7.2024. Andy has spent some time working on components of carriage No. 24 ...

... to fit glazing, and prepare them for painting.

Over the weekend, Graham has fitted a newly machined number plate for loco No. 9.

Wednesday, 10.7.2024. No. 7 is steamed for Specials for Young Rail Professionals (complete with their own headboard) ...

Photographs taken between 12th June and 2nd July 2024

5th July 20245th July 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Saturday, 29.6.2024. The last Up train of the day (and the last one to be operated by No. 3 - for a while) heads up the line.

Tuesday, 18.6.2024. Adrian welds inside the corners of the landing for the replacement Signal Box steps ...

... before broaching holes through the fixing plates and the body itself - a long drawn-out process.

In the evening, a group of local members collected together to move (on its side) a slab waggon underframe in the Museum ...

... to place it in the same room as other rolling stock exhibits ...

... with other exhibits being re-arranged to suit.

Wednesday, 19.6.2024. The surveyors largely employed on the Southern Extension works, are surveying around Maespoeth Yard in order to tie everything up.

Monday, 24.6.2024. Over the weekend, much warmer floor coverings have arrived in the machine shop area of the Engine Shed.

Tuesday, 25.6.2024. Adrian cleans up the legs to support the Signal Box steps landing ...

... while a consignment of timber has arrived to form the rest of the arrangement.

... while Bill (and others) have been cutting and shaping timber to form the new landing.

The four legs for the landing have been largely formed - only the top plates to go on.

Wednesday, 26.6.2024. TR engineering staff have come over to check over No. 10 before it goes there, taking it for a trip up the line.

Thursday, 27.6.2024. Adrian has been putting in a bit of overtime, welding the top plates to the legs to support the landing for the Signal Box steps just as the fixing bolts arrive ...

... and he looks a little weary!

Saturday, 29.6.2024. Our tree surgeons have been around in the past week, tagging and marking trees of concern to the railway following an inspection.

The first train of the day heads towards Corris ...

... before returning and whistling to give notice to the Controller at Maespoeth.

A later Up train hits the gradient ...

... and continues towards Corris.

The last Up train of the day (and the last one to be operated by No. 3 - for a while) heads up the line ...

... and upon return, No. 3 is waved towards the Engine Shed by Bill after leaving its train in the North Platform.

Inside the Signal Box, Bill has a Trainee Controller ...

... providing him with sustenance as No. 3's fire is dropped and No. 11 makes ready to return the carriages to their shed.

In due course, the carriages make their way past ...

... while the TR crew await clearance to put No. 3 in the Engine Shed, propelling No. 10 in while at it.

Monday, 1.7.2024. Stevie drives No. 6 hauling No. 3 ...

... as it is propelled down the line and loaded onto a trailer ...

... which will transport it back to Tywyn.

Tuesday, 2.7.2024. Robin pays close attention to an item that will make up part of carriage No. 24 ...

... while Adrian prepares another piece of steel ...

Photographs taken between 7th and 16th June 2024

19th June 202418th June 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Saturday, 15.6.2024. Probably for the first time ever, three locos were in steam in the Engine Shed at Maespoeth Junction and when ready were lined up outside for the occasion, in the order of (L to R) No. 3, No. 10 and No. 7, to be recorded by all!

Friday, 7.6.2024 Adrian continues his work on the landing for the Signal Box steps ...

... welding and grinding away ...

... while opposite the old Corris station in Machynlleth, No. 4 passes on its way back to Tywyn in a new livery after overhaul on the Vale of Rheidol railway. No. 4 was originally delivered to the Corris in grey primer.

Saturday, 8.6. 2024 Trefor watches as No. 3 pulls away from Maespoeth ...

... to return later with Charlie's birthday headboard ...

... as a party is held in his honour on part of the platform.

Meanwhile, in the Engine Shed, Trefor and Ifor are working on parts to get No. 7 back into service ...

... and at the end of the day, opportunity is taken to re-order our steam locos ...

... which gives the first opportunity to take a photo of a lined out No. 10 in sunshine ...

... just before No. 3 runs back off the last train, for disposal.

Sunday, 10.6.2024 This places the two Falcon locos next to each other in the Engine Shed ...

Wednesday, 12.6.2024 ... and provides ready access to engineers from Keef's to carry out modifications to No. 10's brake gear ...

... with a break for lunch in the sun.

As the forecast is for the brief dry spell to be followed by days of inclement weather, advantage is taken to spray the line with weedkiller - the forecast was spot on!

Thursday, 13.6.2024 The heritage waggons have been pulled out for two days of Photo Charters ...

... as Nos. 3 and 10 top and tail a shortened passenger formation ...

... before double heading for more runs ...

... in spectacular style - aided by the damp, misty weather.

No. 10 is separated off and the two locos lined up for comparisons to be made before a day is called - it was an 05.00 start for some of the crew!

Friday, 14.6.2024 A freight train has been thoroughly photographed ...

... before a single carriage is added to represent a typical 1920's mixed train ...

... with photographers all lined up ready!

No. 10 puts on a show as it storms the top of Maespoeth Bank ...

... several times, with the photographers very pleased with their results!

The same formation heads northwards for more photos ...

... before the short formation is treated to double heading!

In due course, No. 10 goes off for disposal as No. 3 drops back for its full(er) passenger train ...

... before heading back to Corris behind No. 3 to re-unite the photographers with their cars.

Saturday, 15.6.2024 Probably for the first time ever, three locos are in steam in the Engine Shed at Maespoeth ...

... and are lined up outside for the occasion to be recorded by all!

Photographs taken between 30th May and 6th June 2024

7th June 20247th June 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Saturday, 25.5.2024. Passengers depart from the 14.05 train ex-Maespoeth, with diesel operation today.

Late Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 27.5.2024. The Jowett Car Club is running a "Rally by the Lake" today, with an array of interesting cars lined up by The Slaters' Arms.

The train crew check that they have got the whole train inside the Carriage Shed, as they clear up for the day.

In the Engine Shed, timber is being prepared ...

Thursday, 30.5.2024. ... to partition off the machine shop from the running line inside the shed ...

... complete with insulated finish on the machine shop side ...

... while in the Carriage Shed, the landing for the Signal Box steps is ready for final welding ...

... and Tony has primed the earlier fabrication.

Friday, 31.5.2024. Another group from the Swanage prepare No. 7 for a "Railway for a Day" ...

... while a carriage is brought up from the Carriage Shed ...

... and that Shed is shunted.

With steam up, No. 7 joins its "train" for the first of a number of trips to Corris ...

... where much of the crew stay for lunch, leaving Maespoeth to bask in the sunshine!

Lunch over, and operations resume ...

... and the Engine Shed floor has been cleared ready for the next task.

In the machine shop, a fabrication has arrived to form the base for a relocated signal post.

Saturday, 1.6.2024. Trefor passes through Maespoeth with train, as he puts stock away at the end of the day ...

... followed by No. 6 into the Carriage Shed.

During the day, the base for the new signal post location was concreted in by the TR "Tracksiders" ...

... the pelton wheel pipework was cleaned up ...

... and the handrail to the steps leading down to the Carriage Shed was renewed.

Monday, 3.6.2024. It looks strangely like a steam locomotive coming up the road past the embankment works ...

... before reversing direction ...

... where a small reception committee is waiting.

... but first, the defunct roller has to be moved out of the way.

A ramp is soon set up ...

... and No. 6 propels waggon No. 208 up to No. 3 ...

... which, after coupling up, follows up the line while the ramp is dismantled behind.

Stevie checks brakes and valve gear while No. 6 runs around ...

... and then propels No. 3 into its old home ...

Photographs taken between 14th and 23rd May 2024

24th May 202424th May 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Monday, 13.5.2024. More loads of filling material are delivered and are soon spread and rolled. As alternate loads are spread, the dumper is loaded with drainage stone so that layer can be topped up as necessary between deliveries.

Tuesday, 14.5.2024. Adrian makes a din while fabricating the landing for the Signal Box steps ...

... before joining in with a conversation further along the Carriage Shed.

Meanwhile, Peter is adapting the wiring for the pump on the weed-spraying apparatus ...

... while Sam and Pete work on the interlocking in the Signal Box.

The velocipede inspection trolley has been moved to the other side of the Carriage Shed (on temporary display) ...

... and has been loaded with appropriate tools.

By the end of the day, Adrian has all the components laid out for the Signal Box steps landing ...

... and Sam has the finial for the Home signal painted.

Saturday, 18.5.2024. It is a gloriously sunny day as No. 6 brings the carriages up to the South Platform just as No. 7 emerges from the Engine Shed ...

... where the crew set to by polishing it up ...

... before blowing down.

It is not long before it sets off for Corris with train.

In compliance with new legislation, recycling bins are set out for the use of our visitors.

In the Carriage Shed, Andy is priming the timber in the clerestory of carriage No. 24 both inside ...

... and out ...

... which requires great concentration!

Unfortunately, despite the bright start to the day, by late afternoon (as we were packing up), the heavens opened for a short spell!

Tuesday, 21.5.2024. Dick renews edge lines on most steps around the Maespoeth site ...

... just as a delivery arrives ...

... but is soon dealt with!

The shrubbery on the North Platform is blooming lovely!

Thursday, 23.5.2024. Crew relax after firing No. 10 in the rain for its boiler exam - it passed!

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Monday, 13.5.2024. More loads of filling material are delivered ...

Tuesday, 14.5.2024. ... and are soon spread and rolled.

As alternate loads are spread, the dumper is loaded with drainage stone so that layer can be topped up as necessary between deliveries ...

Wednesday, 15.5.2024. ... so that all is ready to receive, spread and roll filling material progressively through the site ...

... until in late afternoon, supplies of fill are suddenly diverted elsewhere by the donors.

Thursday, 23.5.2024. After a week's hiatus, more material arrives - all that is needed is a machine to spread it!

Photographs taken between 7th and 11th May 2024

13th May 202413th May 2024 David Coleman 4 Comments Photographs

Saturday, 4.5.2024. A good hour earlier than normal, Jack seeks permission from Control to enter section ...

... as passengers arrive for the Machynlleth Comedy Festival Special ...

... which soon sets off ...

... for Maespoeth, where Jack is interviewed for a radio broadcast (in the inevitable rain) ...

... while the audience are treated to background information and safety announcements by Richard ...

... before they are entertained by the first of the comedians.

The operating crew for the day pose around No. 7 and headboard ...

... at the head of the train running express back to Corris!

The passengers make their way back to the train ...

... with many posing for photos in front of the loco.

Jack whistles to indicate that he is starting as Helen gives the Right Away ...

... and makes a cautious start out of the South Platform.

By the time the first service train arrives, the Carriage Shed has been transformed back into a working area ...

... with the Corris Institute chairs loaded ready for their return.

The first train carries a number of passengers participating in a Classic Car Rally, who were very pleased with their reception on the railway.

Plenty of fuel has been put out for No. 6 ...

... but it is No. 11 that propels the bogie waggon back to Corris to return the chairs.

May Day Bank Holiday Monday, 6.5.2024. The first Up train of the afternoon heads towards Corris ...

... and returns later with another load of passengers.

Tuesday, 7.5.2024. Adrian is fabricating steelwork for replacing the Signal Box steps ...

... while Mark cleans up on the velocipede inspection trolley before giving it a coat of wood preserver.

Nearby, Robin is cutting out another panel ...

... and aperture ...

... to complete another component for the vestibule of carriage No. 24.

Outside, as it has stopped raining, the tank has been loaded on waggon No. 218 in preparation for weed killing in due course.

Friday, 10.5.2024. Adrian looks around for the source of a voice while undertaking steel fabrication in the Carriage Shed.

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Tuesday, 7.5.2024. After a few dry-ish days, fill is once again delivered to the south end of the new embankment, with remnants of the old slate railway fence adjacent.

Progress has been good today, with a layer through almost the entire embankment length, tracked and rolled. What a difference good weather makes!

Wednesday, 8.5.2024. Drainage media is topped up at the southern end ...

... before the bog mats are retrieved and the small excavator used to clear the remains of vegetation and topsoil from below the old railway fence, the spoil being dumped elsewhere on site.

Photographs taken between 23rd April and 3rd May 2024

6th May 20245th May 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Tuesday, 23.4.2024. Dick brushes up at Maespoeth ...

... before re-painting the platform edge lines.

In the Carriage Shed, Adrian is fabricating steel with Bill and Mark working nearby ...

... creating pedal blocks for the velocipede.

Tony helps transfer fence posts to Lydd bogie No. 218 ...

... closely supervised by the RAF ...

... before Richard comes to the rescue to move another bundle ...

... to largely fill the waggon.

Friday, 26.4.2024. Jack prepares No. 7 ...

... while Railway for a Day participant Stan re-paints the loco's smokebox ...

... and his mother (Alison) tries her hand driving locomotive No. 6 to open the gates up to Corris.

Returning to Corris, Jack has No. 7 ready to head the train ...

... but not before Stan also has a go with No. 6 ...

... and on return to Maespoeth, No. 7 is ready to depart with train.

Elly is having a go ...

... and sets off steadily, with Dick keeping an eye out!

It is then Stan's turn ...

... followed by Alison.

In between runs with No. 7, Alison samples No. 9 ...

... as does Stan (& sister Stella).

Mother and son water No. 7 while Jack attends in the cab ...

... and all too soon, their day is nearly at an end, with the family using their newly acquired skills to put the rolling stock away.

Just for devilment, No. 7 pops down to have a look to see how the extension works are getting on ...

... before heading back to the Engine Shed.

Saturday, 27.4.2024. No. 7 heads north with the first train of the day ...

... but the ladies w.c. at Maespoeth will not flush ...

... so James uses his skills to fix it before the first trainload of passengers arrive - what a relief!

Stock is shunted between trains ...

... to put waggon 203 outside to create more room in the Carriage Shed.

A pleasant surprise on one train, was to see Alf, Jill and Rosie!

Photographs taken between 12th and 19th April 2024

24th April 202423rd April 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Friday, 19.4.2024. Fresh geotextile has been laid out prior to re-shaping much of the material already delivered, but it is still very wet - but drying up nicely! The viewpoint here is roughly, at the height of the proposed trackbed formation.

Friday, 12.4.2024. Adrian cuts a bar to help create a couple of fabrication stands for use in the Carriage Shed.

Saturday, 13.4.2024. A group collect around the steam locos outside the Engine Shed ...

... as No. 10 is steamed ...

... to test the third iteration of design for the safety valves ...

... with adjustments being made while the fire is stoked for another test. All concluded satisfactorily, ready for the boiler inspector (in due course).

Tuesday, 16.4.2024. Adrian has nearly completed the second fabrication stand ...

... while in unusually sunny weather, No. 6 propels a waggon up the line to carry tools and materials to adjust the gate arrangements at Maes y Llan, a job planned to be tackled some weeks ago but delayed by persistent rain.

Having determined detail requirements, No. 6 returns to Maespoeth to join those enjoying lunch ...

... and afterwards, another waggon is added to carry more tools and materials to head up the line once more.

Upon return to Maespoeth, it was found that the velocipede inspection trolley has advanced in construction ...

... and the fabrication stands are complete, ready to start on a replacement set of steps for the Signal Box.

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Friday, 12.4.2024. Wear and tear at the site access has been made good ...

... while vegetation and topsoil are scraped down on to boards for clearing later ...

... and the drain area is stoned up as further filling material deliveries arrive.

Saturday, 13.4.2024. More material has been delivered, but it is very wet and the recent work is saturated so will have to be dug out again. Apart from a very few deliveries ...

Friday, 19.4.2024. ... work is abandoned temporarily due to continuous rain until today ...

... where after two days of (mostly) dry weather, attention is given to the foot of the access ramp ...

... to widen the foundation and fill up with drainage stone at the side ...

... before excavating down to the previous step in the drainage layer ...

... all ready for fresh drainage media to be spread to lift the access track base once more.

Meanwhile, fresh geotextile has been laid out prior to re-shaping much of the material already delivered, but it is still very wet - but drying up nicely! The viewpoint here is roughly, at the height of the proposed trackbed formation.

Photographs taken between 3rd and 11th April 2024

12th April 202412th April 2024 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

10.4.2024. Nearly there?

Southern Extension. Pont y Goedwig Deviation Project. Wednesday, 3.4.2024. More material is delivered, tipped ...

... spread and rolled to form the bank below the foot of the access track.

Thursday, 4.4.2024. Boards have arrived ...

... but the sun has come out (briefly!) ...

... so every effort is made to press on, tipping material progressively further back and spreading it while the going is good.

Last thing, a partial load is tipped at the foot of the access track, shaped and formed to divert surface water expected from heavy overnight rain, off the new fill and into the drainage media under it.

Friday, 5.4.2024. The boards are put to use, covering the drainage media so that vegetation and loose material can be scraped down on to them where the bank is too steep to create a practicable shelf, with the surplus material being taken away by dumper.

By the end of the day, the bank is cleaned up ready for drainage stone right back to the far end of the current embankment ...

... but travelling over the surface has turned the top skim quite liquid!

Saturday, 6.4.2024. Today is dry, so no time is wasted, filling the drainage material (at the far end) to near the final level ...

... trimming the next section of embankment slope (as seen from the other side of the culvert - Pont y Goedwig) ...

... and then moving the boards (trapping them against the tracks to get the bucket underneath) ...

... with Dai following up with the small machine to remove the last vestiges of loose material ...

... while adjacent, Richard pushes down sticky sub-soil to enable him to trim the very top of the new embankment ...

... before recovering the subsoil and spreading it evenly over the new slope face.

More drainage stone is then brought up and tipped carefully ...

... tidied and tamped down ...

... covered over and the excavated bank trimmings spread up to and over it ...

... so that the whole lot can be rolled just as it starts to rain heavily again! The pipe in the foreground is a water main washout, which needs to be extended across the formation in the next (and final at this point) layer of fill - but only when it is dry!

Monday, 8.4.2024. Two lorries are carrying again today (after the blue one required a new clutch fitting last week) ...

... and soon there is plenty of material to spread, level and track in ...

... which enables them to tip progressively further back ...

... to the work completed on Saturday.

Tuesday, 9.4.2024. More trimming work is undertaken by the small excavator, while the larger one spreads delivered fill ...

... before moving the boards as before ...

... and cleaning up again.

A very warm sun makes an all too brief visit as a ski jump is formed ...

... as the foot of the access track is excavated (it is very hard!) ...

... drainage stone tipped ...

... and after spreading and covering with geotextile, fresh filling added.

← Previous

Santa Special Steam Trains 🎅

7th & 8th December 2024 Steam Loco
A train ride along the picturesque Dulas Valley to meet Santa and his helpers in his Grotto!

Shopping Cart

Next Trains Depart

5th October 2024 11:00Steam Loco
5th October 2024 12:00Steam Loco
5th October 2024 13:30Steam Loco
5th October 2024 14:30Steam Loco
5th October 2024 15:30Steam Loco

What’s New

Three Waggons In, Three Waggons Out, At Corris Railway
Santa Trains On The Corris – Booking Is Now Open
Photographs taken on 27th August 2024
Photographs taken between 22nd July and 20th August 2024

Latest Photographs

Latest Products

End Door Wagon £8.95
Slate Slab Wagon £12.95
Two Plank Wagon £8.95
Tie Rod Slate Wagon £8.95

Rheilffordd Corris Railway

Station Yard Corris, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 9SH
01654 761701 - Corris Museum & Station
01654 761303 - Maespoeth Engine Shed
General Email - enquiries@corris.co.uk

Useful Links

Ticket Office: Book Now!
Corris-Pondents
Corris Discuss Forum
Committee Members
Data Protection Policy
Operational Information
Safety Management System

Let’s Get Social

Copyright © 2018-2024 Corris Railway Society All Rights Reserved. Solution by totalwebsystems

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
TripAdvisor

TICKET OFFICE: Pre-booking is advisable! Tickets are limited, passengers are advised to book in advance through our websiteBook Now