Rheilffordd Corris Railway

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Category: Photographs

Photographs taken between 7th & 29th March 2021

30th March 20211st April 2021 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Sunday, 7.3.2021. No. 6 and works train pose at Corris while the Sundae Gang undertake P Way inspections and minor works …

… including the removal of the station sign board for refurbishment.

Monday, 8.3.2021. Despite the cold and wet weather, Maespoeth North Accommodation crossing has had sleepers replaced …

… and crossing timbers renewed.

Inside the Engine Shed at Maespoeth, No. 7 has been completely reassembled after its winter strip-down, and repositioned ready for its steam test.

Thursday, 11.3.2021. While re-arranging all the rolling stock after a year’s shut-down, advantage was taken to put in blue marker posts to help safely positioning trains for the new season’s operations. More needs to be done – in due course!

Monday, 15.3.2021. Despite awful weather conditions yesterday, the Sundae Gang have been trimming back overhanging and dead tree branches sufficient to fill three waggons, here stabled in the Waggon Shelter …

… which has really opened up aspects along parts of the line …

…while the trees have also been cut down around the Corris sewage works – more open views!

Another (drier!) job tackled by the Sundae Gang was the re-painting of the train staff sections in appropriate colours.

Wednesday, 17.3.2021 The Talyllyn Railway invited local Corris members to witness a re-enactment of the arrival of the Corris engines there in 1951, starting with the engines being brought down to Wharf Station by TR No. 2, “Dolgoch” …

… before running round to leave the two Corris engines together. No. 3 was in light steam, while No. 4 was partially dismantled …

… before Jack on No. 3 leads the re-arranged formation back into the station.

A live web feed resulted in our Treasurer being interviewed on Corris aspects …

… followed by former TR Chief Engineer John Bate.

A trial run then took place …

… and returned prior to the formal re-enactment.

At Pendre, Jack shunts No. 3 before disposal on shed …

… and then showing us the recently restored and returned, ex-Corris carriage (T. R. No. 17) in their paint shop.

Saturday, 20.3.2021. Trefor is very happy, cleaning No. 7 preparatory to its boiler steam test …

… while Phil and Charles converse with Ifor, oiling and greasing the point rodding runs and turnouts.

Later, after passing the boiler steam test, No. 7 gently simmers outside the Engine Shed …

… adjacent to a seasonal display.

Meanwhile, all the crew take their (socially distant) lunch break …

… before Trefor and Patrick take No. 7 on a very quiet trial run to Corris …

… following up with a 3-carriage train to check brakes and other functions ...

… before arriving in Corris.

Sunday, 21.3.2021. Richard stacks logs from the heritage waggons ready for collection by road vehicle …

… while Richard films Tony and Jack ballasting around Maespoeth North Accommodation crossing ...

… which looks far better than hitherto. Some ballast has also been dropped to support the shoulder, further to the north.

Photographs taken on 14th March 2021

18th March 202117th March 2021 Jack Evans 0 Comment Photographs

Sunday 14th March. The Sundae gang start the day with a shunt to assemble a suitable works train for the day.

Sunday 14th March. The "Sundae Gang" start the day with a shunt to assemble a suitable works train for the day. Steve is at the controls of loco No. 9 under social distanced supervision of Jack, with Luke acting as shunter

Once assembled, the train is lubricated in all the relevant places – such as the coupling loop seen here

The first job of the day ‘up the line’ … servicing the point at Corris.

Followed by… lineside management starting at Maes Y Llan gate, working back towards Maespoeth.

At ‘Black Stump’ curve there were several dangerous low hanging branches, a lot of dead wood.

The fence along this section of the line has degraded severely in the last 12 months, as a short term measure we discarded previously used sleepers along the bottom to deter livestock for a little longer.

Luke loading the ‘Queen Mary’ with fresh logs from the cut branches above.

On to the triangle where Steve had logged up some more branches, for loading.

Sadly the aesthetically pleasing tree at the triangle accommodation crossing had died, resulting in its removal – it was hollow inside.

A much tidier railway has appeared after an hour or so on this section.

Logs…

…and even more logs! The gang finish off the day's work in the fading light.

A much brighter location for photography in the ‘Spinney’ has emerged, showing the immaculate condition of the works train.

A fully loaded rake of heritage wagons, earning their keep. They are a real credit to those who restored them to this condition.

With an inspection from the boiler inspector due in the coming weeks, No. 7 rests at Maespoeth out of the wind and rain, much credit goes to the small group of volunteers involved in the winter maintenance of the loco.

Photographs taken on 7th March 2021

12th March 202112th March 2021 Jack Evans 1 Comment Photographs

Sunday 7th March. The "Sundae Gang" head up the line just after 9am to perform a line inspection to make sure everything is as it should be after a few months without any trains.

With Van 204 in the consist, the train pauses at the triangle to check it over after a long period in the shed.

The train negotiates the bend at the bottom of Maes Y Llan bank on the approach to Corris – the train was welcomed by much excitement from residents of the village.

The gang close the gates at Braich Goch Farm accommodation crossing to remind regular users of the railways’ presence.

On inspection, it was decided that the current running in board for Corris Station is a little worse for wear, Sam ‘the vandal’ poses with the sign after its removal for patching up and repainting.

With the line inspection complete it was back to Maespoeth to collect some tools, and a future exhibit for the museum. This was the headboard used back in 1996 when loco 4 returned to Corris for a brief period from the Talyllyn Railway.

The headboard made the journey in the only acceptable way.

Back at Corris, Sam attends to an issue with the museum door. Materials delivered to Corris were then loaded on to the works train for the return journey to Maespoeth where…

…. Josh and Sam began stripping the accommodation crossing north of Maespoeth north platform of rotten timbers.

Once the crossing timbers were removed, it was discovered that the sleepers below were in a bad condition and simply “will not do”…

…and the gang soon rolled up their sleeves (or not!) and set out to remove the three life expired sleepers.

Two track jacks are put in place to aid the removal of the sleepers, which proved rather challenging after being in situ for over 20 years!

The sleepers removed, the remaining track bed was then dug out to enable the new sleepers to be put in place…

…and then drilled to allow the spikes to unite the rails and sleepers.

With the track jacked to the correct level/alignment, Jack and Josh tamp the track firmly in place.

Daylight now running in short supply, the works train is then loaded with the life expired sleepers/crossing timbers. The line then returned to serviceable condition, however awaiting more work to be done to enable the accommodation crossing to be fit for use again.

Falcon Build Images – 15th February 2021

15th February 202115th February 2021 Andy Cooper 2 Comments Photographs

Corris members working at home have made some progress on the smokebox door for loco No.10. The baffle plate after drilling and some parts for the hinges.

Machining parts for the hinges.

This dollop of car body filler and MDF disc will be useful when machining the centre boss.

Smokebox door hinges ready for welding.

Baffle plate fixings.

A jig to hold the baffle plate fixings in place for tack welding.

The stainless steel baffle plate in place.

Hinges so far next they need bending to the shape of the door.

Meanwhile using the filler pattern Ian has made the centre boss for the door also work in progress on the door handles and dart.

With both handles turned down.

Machining the curve on the outside of one handle...

...and just needing a little fettling in the corner.

Finished handles and the dart has been threaded.

Also the top plate and studs for the brake stand have been made.

Specially made springs for the Salter Balances have arrived...

...and most of the main parts for the cab have been delivered to Nottingham after much C.A.D. work by Graham.

Photographs taken between 31st December & 27th January 2021

30th January 202130th January 2021 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Thursday, 31.12.2020. It has snowed overnight, and while on a security check, the sun starts to peer through the trees at Maespoeth …

… which certainly improves appearances …

… from whatever angle!

The way is clear to the end of the headshunt below Maespoeth Sheds …

… and down towards the work site at Pont y Goedwig …

… which looks completely different in the snow!

The site takes on an eerie atmosphere.

Sunday, 3.1.2021. Much of the snow may have gone, but the atmosphere remains (the main road almost opposite Maespoeth Yard).

Friday, 22.1.2021. The CAT carriage has been moved into the Engine Shed to dry out, and allow it to be refurbished (in due course) ...

… with two Heritage Waggons moving out into their shelter to make room.

Storm Christoph has visited the area and thoroughly cleaned the floor of the Engine Shed (without causing apparent damage) …

… where the inside of No. 7’s saddle tank has now been cleaned and painted.

Wednesday, 27.1.2021. Yesterday, the hedge cutting contractors called, vastly improving the vision from the access to the Pont y Goedwig Deviation work site …

… in both directions!

Inside the Engine Shed, No. 7 has now regained its trailing truck as progress is made towards a steam test.

Photographs taken on 19th & 25th December 2020

28th December 202028th December 2020 Jack Evans 0 Comment Photographs

Saturday, 19.12.2020. Time for a grand shunt of the head-shunt at Maespoeth. With the ultimate aim of extracting the “CAT Carriage” for restoration to begin in 2021.

The first few wagons have reached the North platform, to be propelled back into the South platform to enable space to extract the other few rakes.

The wagon which until recently was used to store loco 10’s new boiler is next to be dragged out the undergrowth, along with four ex RNAD Trecwn wagons.

The view up the siding from the cab of loco 6, the railhead by this point had become extremely greasy and sand needed to be found to gain adhesion.

The rail bolster wagon sat in the South Platform road, with a bit of work this will be a good addition to the fleet.

With the light failing, loco 6 sits at the head of the ‘serviceable’ works wagons ready to return them to their resting place in the siding.

Chris couples up the CAT wagon (which we had left outside the new wagon shelter mid shunt) in order to propel it towards the new shelter in the hope it would fit.

“Doh!” – not quite.

The fairly poor condition of the CAT carriage here is very noticeable – the chassis seems to look OK.

To enable the carriage to thoroughly dry out prior to sorting its contents and begin stripping work, it was dragged into the loco shed behind No.6 and fitted in with a couple of inches to spare.

A view of the North platform in the evening light, Christmas now less than a handful of days away, with a new Welsh lockdown due at Midnight tonight this would be the last working day on the railway for a while.

Friday 25th December… NadoligLlawen-Happy Christmas, at Corris Station.

Photographs taken between 12th & 18th December 2020

24th December 202024th December 2020 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Saturday, 12.12.2020. Two of the three Officers in Charge (the third one was taking the photo) sheltering from the rain while discussing options and actions for possible re-opening of services next year.

Sunday, 13.12.2020. Jack …

… and Ioan …

… head up the line …

… to clear leaves …

… to enable the track to be closely inspected. What a difference!

Lunch time, so to at least be in the dry, they head up to the Museum …

… to enjoy their sandwiches!

Monday, 14.12.2020. After a day of track work from the Sundae Gang yesterday, the waggon shelter receives its first permanent residents.

Friday, 18.12.2020. The straightened drop-side door was delivered from Brunswick’s yesterday, and was collected and trollied down to the Carriage Shed for re-uniting with the waggon body.

Nearby, Tony is painting …

… while Adrian cuts bar to form “L’s”, which when welded together and dressed off…

… means he has no “L’s” (boom, boom) but some hoops for buffer shanks for the Heritage Waggon underframe – which need persuasion to fit in place.

A new step is then fabricated …

… and welded to the P Way van frames …

… which soon receives a coat of primer.

Meanwhile, after giving the track jack components white undercoat …

… Tony moves on to paint the underside of the Drop Side waggon body with black bitumen ...

… while thick old paint is being removed from the Drop Side waggon door.

Photographs taken between 25th November & 14th December 2020

14th December 202014th December 2020 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

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Photographs taken between 19th & 24th November 2020

25th November 202025th November 2020 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Thursday, 19.11.2020. Dave has painted the final gloss on one side of carriage No. 23, so there is a grand shunt which sees the two latest products of Adrian’s work seeing the sunshine for the first time.

Thursday, 19.11.2020. Dave has painted the final gloss on one side of carriage No. 23, so there is a grand shunt which sees the two latest products of Adrian’s work seeing the sunshine for the first time …

… followed by carriage No. 24 …

… so that carriage No. 20 can be positioned ready for attention to paint work.

In between moves, advantage was taken to smooth lumpy welds in the track …

… which tend to get hearts stopping when stock is moved!

The two carriages (No’s 22 & 21) not in need of attention, are hooked up to return to the Carriage Shed …

… which is now arranged so that No’s 20 and 23 are convenient for attention to their paint work.

The two waggons to receive attention next (the Drop Side waggon and the two plank Private Owner waggon) are arranged next, followed by No. 24.

Adrian can then get on with drilling more holes in the Drop Side waggon end …

… before flipping the body over to drill holes in the floor.

Completing paperwork, all the files have been changed to give uniformity – one benefit of Lock-Down!

Saturday, 21.11.2020. Trefor is outside in the rain …

… giving No. 7’s boiler a wash out …

… before propelling it into the Engine Shed with No. 11.

Finishing off a job started on Thursday (abandoned due to failing light), the chocks have been fitted to the end of the track under the Waggon Shelter.

The Sundae Gang arrive with No. 6 …

… to have their lunch in the dry!

They have been working up the line, easing curves …

… and return towards evening, soaked through …

… to put everything away for the night.

By this time, the trailing truck from No. 7 had been removed …

… and the ashpan removed.

Sunday, 22.11.2020. Sam uses No. 9 …

… to collect the waggons to work up the line in rather drier conditions …

… greasing fishplates …

… in between easing the kinks in the curves …

… which became more apparent as everything was tightened up again by mid-afternoon.

With everything (and everyone) on board, it is back to Maespoeth …

… where a “Stop” board has been secured across the line until all the track work is complete.

Tuesday, 24.11.2020. Adrian entertains Bob and Chris in the Engine Shed …

Photographs taken between 10th & 14th November 2020

16th November 202016th November 2020 David Coleman 0 Comment Photographs

Tuesday, 10.11.2020. Back to work after (the Welsh) Lock-Down, Chris & Bob continue the fabrication …

… of track jacks …

… with Chris drilling corner holes for the slot …

… the slots being machined hands free …

… while Bob bends rebar for the carrying handles.

Meanwhile, Bill has delivered clerestory window frames fabricated at home during Lock-Down, for carriage No. 24 …

… and sets to, chiselling out square, the mortises for a Heritage waggon underframe …

… under the watchful eye of Charles …

… who assists Dick in clearing axleboxes painted by Tony, to create space on a work bench.

By afternoon, the frames can be trial assembled …

… in a workshop full of activity!

By evening, everything is assembled, squared up and glued together.

Thursday, 12.11.2020. Adrian has fitted the new steel floor to the Drop Side Heritage waggon, and trial fitted the north end.

During the day, Bob from Brunswick Ironworks (Caernarfon) calls by to discuss rivets with Adrian …

… while Tony finishes painting the axleboxes to go with the frames of Heritage Waggon No. 5, created by the Tuesday Gang earlier in the week.

Friday, 13.11.2020. Early in the morning, the drop side door of the waggon is trolleyed up to the car park for collection by Brunswick’s later in the day, for them to remove the twist in it.

Saturday, 14.11.2020. Trefor has started to remove items from No. 7, ready for its cold boiler exam, even though it has not been steamed since its hot test in June …

… and catches up with the paperwork to suit.

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