With the arrival of the new “Falcon” 0-4-2ST locomotive in August 2023 the locomotive shed at Maespoeth Junction on the Corris Railway houses two steam engines on a permanent basis for the first time since 1948 and both should be available to head steam trains from Corris station in 2024. It should be noted that normally only one locomotive will work on each operating day.
However the Corris’ older steam loco, “Tattoo” No. 7, which entered service in 2005 will fall due for its second “10 Year” overhaul during the winter months. As with all of these stoppages it is uncertain how much this work will cost and its likely duration. Both will depend on how much of the work can be carried out by the railway’s own volunteers.
Winter work has been carried out on both Nos. 7 and 10 at Maespoeth. For those who saw No. 10 working in September and October a pair of visible differences will be the lining-out of the paintwork and less obviously adjustments to the buffer fittings.
Public train services on the Corris will resume on Good Friday and will then run on selected days until the end of October. As always the number of days is limited by the number of volunteers available to operate the trains and staff the Museum and Shop at Corris. Anyone interested in joining in can contact the Railway via volunteering@corris.co.uk or 07785 765874.