Category: News

Corris Railway Society Calls Off Model Railway Exhibition But Will Operate On Additional Dates In August

John Simms 0 Comment Press Releases
Model Railway Layout

After consideration of the ongoing Covid guidance and uncertainty, the Corris Railway Society has regretfully decided to cancel its planned Model Railway Exhibition which was due to take place on August 28th and 29th at Y Plas in Machynlleth.

By the nature of the Exhibition there was a likelihood and risk of people grouping around layouts and at trade stands and the CRS decided that calling off the event would be the safest and responsible course.

However the Corris is keen to stress that its steam trains will continue to operate from Corris Station as advertised so that visitors may enjoy a relaxed view of part of the beautiful Dulas Valley. It has now added additional operating days in August further to its advertised Sundays and these additional trains will run on Saturdays August 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th, plus Bank Holiday Monday August 30th. Trains will leave Corris Station at 11.00, 13.00 and 15.00 and tickets must be booked in advance via www.corris.co.uk/tickets

The Corris is also accepting bookings, subject to volunteer staff availability, for its Your Railway for the Day package in which groups of up to six, or even individuals, can drive steam, diesel or battery electric locomotives, work with the guard and the signalman and enjoy exclusive use of the Railway.

A Major Landmark As Wheels And Motion Of New Build Corris Railway Steam Locomotive Move For The First Time

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No. 10 is alive

A major landmark in the progress of the new build Corris Railway steam locomotive, Falcon No. 10, was reached in the week ending June 25th when the wheels and motion moved for the first time. This significant event took place courtesy of compressed air, and some temporary pipework fittings, at the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd near Ross-on-Wye. Video of this can be seen at www.corris.co.uk Some further fine tuning was required but all went well on the first run.

The project has already had its boiler constructed by Israel Newton, and other components constructed or ready for finishing include the smokebox and its fittings, buffers and chimney. Volunteer input to the project has also included work on brake gear components, and the pony truck for the 0-4-2ST. Cab components have been produced. However there is more construction to be done and components including cab fittings to be purchased, many of them distinctly expensive to obtain. The Corris wishes to thank everyone whose financial support has seen this progress made.

The new steam locomotive will be the second to enter service on the revived section of the oldest narrow gauge railway in Mid Wales, situated in the beautiful Dulas Valley between Machynlleth and Dolgellau. No. 10 is a 21st Century evocation of a trio of engines built in 1878 at the Falcon Works in Loughborough. One of these is now Sir Haydn on the Talyllyn Railway. The new build will differ from the originals in some respects, most notably a higher cab to accommodate drivers and firemen who are taller than their Victorian predecessors. The new cab does however have a similar outline to that carried by the original trio during their time at the Corris.

The target for the completion of the locomotive, subject to continued successful fund raising, is September 2022 when it will appear as the centrepiece of a charity open day at the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd. Subsequently it will enter traffic on the Corris.

Donations for the new engine are welcome and can be made online at www.corris.co.uk or cheques, payable to Corris Railway, can be sent to Peter Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS.

The Great Little Trains Of Wales Welcome The Corris Railway To Membership

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The first train on the first weekend of passenger services in 2021

The ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’ is delighted to announce the Corris Railway will be joining as its latest new member, joining the existing eleven Welsh scenic railways in the consortium.

The railways which make up the Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) have in common that they travel through some of the very best scenery the British Isles has to offer and a very special way of seeing it aboard a historic narrow-gauge steam train. Each railway shares the same passion for its history and surroundings and takes pride in the charm of its old-time steam trains, polished paintwork and brass, but each railway also offers something a little quirky and different to its passengers.

The inclusion of the ‘Corris Railway’ brings the consortium to twelve (see below for full list of members) and adds further prestige to this already world-renowned brand. Amongst its members, GLTW boasts the oldest independent railway company in the world, one of Europe’s most exciting railway projects, and some of the most recognisable engines on the planet – including enthusiasts’ favourite, ‘Russell’.

GLTW Secretary, Ray Reid said:

“‘The Great Little Trains of Wales’ was started in 1970 to encourage visitors to come to Wales in general and to ride the narrow-gauge railways in particular. The addition of the Corris Railway to the existing eleven railways makes the GLTW’s Discount and Gold cards even better value and a must have for anyone intending to visit several of the railways during the year.”

The ‘Corris Railway’ is a 2’3” gauge railway, whose origins date back to the 1850’s. It was initially built to carry slate from the quarries at Corris Uchaf and Aberllefenni in the Dulas Valley. The railway ran until 1948, but preservation began in the 1960’s. Today it operates regularly with a mix of steam and diesel traction between Maespoeth and Corris Station, and has exciting plans to extend its operations.

Richard Hamilton-Foyn, Chairman of the Corris Railway added:

“When the preservation of the Corris Railway started in 1966, the pioneer volunteers had nothing but one decrepit building to work on. Since then, we have purchased land, restored the infrastructure, laid track and built a completely new train with modern recreations of the original Corris Victorian carriages and a Corris steam locomotive. As we move into the next phase of the development of the railway with a second steam locomotive, a new station in Corris and a southern extension we are delighted to have been invited to join the GLTW organisation. We are ready to contribute to the future prosperity of all of the Great Little Trains here in Wales.”

See the best for less: For just £15 buy the ‘Great Little Trains of Wales Discount Card’ which gives you a 20% discount on the price of a return journey on all 12 members’ railways (including the Corris Railway!) – which is valid for one year from the first date of use (Terms & Conditions apply). There are also discounts for ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’ Card holders with selected accommodation providers close to many member railways. Cards are available at Booking Offices and online at GLTW website: www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk

Visit Great Little Trains of Wales at: www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk

Extra information: The 12 GLTW member railways are:

Progress At The Corris Railway

John Simms 0 Comment Press Releases

The entry into traffic on May 30th of the latest new build carriage number 23 for the Corris Railway proved to be timely as the services on that day, and the following Bank Holiday Monday, ran virtually full with the new online tickets service working well. With Covid precautions in place, and the need to deep clean trains between workings, the Mid Wales line ran three round trips from Corris station to the current railhead on the Southern Extension. This meant that trains returning to Corris had to restart on the 1 in 30 gradient and passengers were able to enjoy the sound of steam Tattoo locomotive No. 7 tackling the gradient and the load.

With number 23 in service the carriage building team at Maespoeth Junction has begun to fit woodwork to the steel skeleton of number 24. Floorboards have been put and place and the first pieces of bodywork were added. Also being tackled in the carriage shed at the Junction was heritage waggon number 5 which will form part of demonstration freight workings in due course.

Volunteer work has also continued with components for new build Falcon locomotive 0-4-2ST. In the East Midlands the fittings for the smokebox door are complete and the door is ready for fitting when the smokebox work is completed at the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd, where work on the motion is approaching completion. Buffers for the new loco have been constructed at Maespoeth and volunteer work is underway on the brake gear. Donations for the new engine are welcome and can be made online at www.corris.co.uk or cheques, payable to Corris Railway, can be sent to Peter Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS.

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