Provided of course that the current plans for relaxation of Covid restrictions are followed the Corris Railway resumes passenger operations for the first time since 2019 on Sunday May 30th and will also operate on May 31st.
Trains will depart from Corris station at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm and will be deep cleaned between journeys. Sadly, Covid and distancing requirements will rule out the usual talk and conducted tour of the Maespoeth Junction workshops but trains will stop there for photography and a leg stretch. They will also run on to the current southern limit of the revived section of the line. Following the first two days of operation the trains will then run on Sundays, although the situation will be monitored as to the possibility of extra dates. It is still planned to hold a two day special event on September 4th and 5th.
It will be necessary for would be passengers to book a compartment on a train in advance and compartments will cost twenty five pounds, regardless of the number of people occupying them up to the maximum of eight adults. The occupants should also be from an approved bubble grouping, as appropriate to regulations at the time of travel, or a family. Subject to availability tickets will be available until shortly before departure times. Tickets must be booked in advance via www.corris.co.uk/tickets
The booking system was developed in-house by the Corris Railway webmaster Alf Oxford and his son Mike and no third party platform has been utilised in its setting up or will be involved in its future maintenance. This is invaluable for a small railway and society who are fortunate to have volunteers with the requisite skills in the membership, able and willing to spend many unpaid hours over the work as do engineers and others connected with the CR.
Apart from the bookings the website, www.corris.co.uk carries regularly updated news and photographs of work in progress on the railway, with the latest development being the screening of CR videos directly from YouTube, and also has an online shop facility. Alf has recently stepped down as editor of the quarterly magazine The Corris-Pondent after 25 years at the helm.
The Museum and Shop at Corris will be open but initially no refreshments will be available and payments must be made by card. In addition a one way system for visitors will apply in this area.
“Well done” I must say: “So good to see the Society facing the Covid challenge so brilliantly”
As a 6 year old in 1948 … whilst on holiday at Fronfellen Hall… my father put me on the footplate of the little Corris steam loco, upon the invitation of the driver! Just made it before closure? Quite an experience to recall today.
It is so good to see the Corris Railway re-vitalised and doing so well in this 21st century. My congratulations to you all.
johnny haynes