Category: News

Mounting costs has caused the Corris Railway to temporarily pause work on the new build Falcon steam locomotive No. 10, being constructed by Alan Keef Ltd.

This has not been an easy decision for the Corris to make but from the formative years of the revival it has been Corris Railway Society policy not to spend money that it does not have and only dip into its general funds to complete particularly time sensitive projects.

During 2021 considerable progress had been made on the locomotive with both boiler and cab placed on the frames for checking and modifications to be made as necessary. This followed on from the completion of the rolling chassis, with the wheels and motion being successfully operated by compressed air. Many other components have been completed and are ready for fitting.

However there is much that has still be produced and fitted including cab and boiler fittings and a very visible item, the saddle tank, is still to be manufactured. The recreation of a complex steam locomotive dating from 1878, albeit a small one, has proved costly and time consuming.

Costs have been monitored throughout and projected income had been calculated showing that the target completion date of autumn 2022 was achievable. However, as 2021 was drawing to a close it became clear that with inflation of material prices, the amount of the build still outstanding and some unplanned complexities, costs were rising and funds to hand were rapidly becoming depleted.

As a result, the decision to pause has been made to allow the funds to recover and permit a speedy resumption of the work. There are a number of continuing standing orders providing support and many people have made generous contributions. The Falcon section of the website www.corris.co.uk is where individual donations can be made or cheques payable to Corris Railway can be sent to Peter Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Reddich, B97 5YS.

The Corris Railway ran its 2021 Santa Train services on December 11th and 12th and, despite some gloomy weather and doubts over Covid, all the seats on the trains that ran were sold. In a new departure for the Mid Wales line, seats had to be booked online and in advance and thanks to the skills of two Corris Railway Society volunteers the necessary work to arrange and manage this was done in-house.

On the ground other volunteers had once again adapted part of the carriage shed at Maespoeth Junction to house the special visitor in his red suit and welcome the parents, grandparents and children for refreshments and presents after their train journey along part of the Dulas Valley. The Railway’s shop and museum at Corris was open, giving visitors a chance to buy festive and other items including the 2022 Calendar.

It is planned to resume passenger train services on the Corris at Easter 2022, subject to developments with coronavirus variants, but before that the remodelling of the track layout at Corris station will be carried out to include a run-round loop, facilitated by a traverser. Sleepers and track fittings have been delivered, and other preparation work has already been carried out in November. The revised layout will also necessitate provision of a new platform for passengers and although volunteers will progress the work donations towards the cost will be welcomed. These can either be made via www.corris.co.uk or by cheque, payable to Corris Railway, sent to The Corris Railway, Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth, SY20 9SH. If paying by cheque please indicate that the payment is for the work at the station.