The second week in April saw a Land Rover and trailer arrive at Maespoeth Junction to collect a railway vehicle from the Corris Railway for onward movement to an eventual new home with the Ashton Packet Boat Company, Manchester – under the custodianship of Adam Rickett. They have preserved the oldest wooden narrow boat in the world, and host railway enthusiast days in aid of ‘Francis House Family Trust’ (Registered Charity no. 328659). The railway is a genuine industrial railway dating back to the early 1970’s. Enthusiast days there have grown in popularity over recent years with the collection of varying items of rolling stock. The site is a very close community and the coach will provide enjoyment to those individuals restoring it.
It was accompanied on its way by some surplus rail fixing spikes purchased by the Glyn Valley Tramway for its track laying at Chirk station.
The vehicle which left was a small carriage that was originally used at the Centre For Alternative Technology, which is a neighbour of the Corris Railway in the Dulas Valley in Mid Wales. When it became surplus to requirement there it was presented to the Corris Railway. As the Corris Railway has developed it has become surplus to requirements there in turn and has been out of use for a number of years. Even with the 2009 built carriage shed and the recently completed waggon shelter at Maespoeth Junction undercover space is at a premium and it was felt that the CAT Carriage, as it was known, should have a new home. It will be renovated by the Ashton Packet Boat Company by its small group of dedicated volunteers, with the aim of it operating on future charity open days. In 1974 it conveyed the late Duke of Edinburgh, whose Welsh title was Earl of Merioneth, during his visit to the then newly established CAT which at the time had an internal narrow gauge railway.
As for the future passenger carriage stock on the Corris Railway, work on the new build number 24 has seen some internal seating fitted, the roofing fitted to the clerestory roof, external handrails put in place and glazing carried out.
The next arrival that will require accommodation at the Corris Railway will be the new build Falcon locomotive, No. 10, due to arrive later in the operating season. Ahead of this landmark, the first time two steam engines will be permanently resident in the shed since 1948, work has been carried out in the 1883 built loco shed at Maespoeth Junction to improve inspection pit provision and a new flooring area. Debris from this work has been stored for use in the new Southern Extension embankment as and when drier weather allows resumption of work there. The machinery layout in the shed has also been changed and rationalised.
For more Corris Railway information including timetables and advance ticket booking please see www.corris.co.uk
Surely the Ashton Packet Boat Company railway dates from the 1970’s not 1870’s (specifically 1979). The origins of the boatyard itself being rather older – it was the site of the boatyard of the adjacent Ashton Moss Colliery Company.
Thank you for reporting that typo John. Duly corrected.