A Double Offering For Bank Holiday Weekend

Model Railway Layout

August Bank Holiday weekend sees the return of the Corris Railway Society’s Model Railway Exhibition after a Covid enforced two year gap. There will be a variety of layouts in scales ranging from N to 16mm and including some vintage models to rouse memories for older visitors. There will also be a display of Gauge 1 models.

In addition to the layouts there will be a variety of stalls offering railway books, Corris related items, railwayana and models, plus one offering jewellery and ornamental items crafted from recycled glass.

The venue is Y Plas in Machynlleth and the doors will be open between 10.00 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. on each day. Admission will be four pounds for adults, two pounds for children and a family ticket for two adults and two children will cost ten pounds. Visitors can pay on the day to come in or book tickets in advance. Refreshments will be available and there is car parking close to the venue.

Meanwhile just over four miles away trains will be departing from Corris station for a round trip along the beautiful Dulas Valley to Maespoeth Junction and return. To reach Corris station from Machynlleth follow the A487 towards Dolgellau and turn off into Corris Village at the Braich Goch Inn. Descend the hill past the church to find the entrance to the station yard. The Railway’s Museum and Shop in Corris will be open. If you wish tickets can be booked in advance for both the Model Railway Exhibition and train rides on the Corris Railway here

Other Links

Other Links

Links to other websites either in the same area of the Corris Railway or sharing the same or similar interests.

The Corris Railway cannot accept any responsibility for the availability nor content of web sites that are linked to from this page.

Aber Cabins offer an ideal location for a relaxing break in an area of outstanding natural beauty with lots of activities and miles of beautiful beaches within easy reach. With some of the best log cabins in North Wales we can provide you with a fantastic break.
Arriva Trains Wales
Bodmin & Wenford Railway. There's nothing quite like a journey on a steam train, through the beautiful countryside of Cornwall.
Campsites.co.uk. The UK's number one choice for finding and booking great camping, touring and glamping sites. The link will take you directly to campsites in the Machynlleth area.
Corris Mine Explorers. Explore a long abandoned Welsh Slate Mine. Step back in time with Corris Mine Explorers in Mid Wales as you explore the workings of an old Welsh Slate Mine.
Cumann Traenach na Gaeltachta Láir (Central Gaeltacht Train Society), Fintown, Co. Donegal
Ecodyfi Partnership
Expo NG - The Greenwich and District Narrow Gauge Railway Society
Fairbourne and Barmouth Steam Railway
Ffestiniog Railway. Another of the Welsh narrow-gauge lines.
Glan y Môr Caravan Park & Swn y Môr Holiday Park. A leading caravan UK park. It is located adjacent to Clarach Bay just minutes away from the popular Welsh town of Aberystwyth. Swn y Môr Holiday Park is located near Borth and the Ynyslas sand dunes. The popular links at Borth & Ynyslas Golf Club are just minutes away.
Glyn Valley Tramway Group. Close to the border with England, the narrow-gauge Glyn Valley Tramway served the Ceiriog Valley from 1873 until 1935.
Golden Valley Light Railway, at the Midland Railway Centre.
Great Little Trains of Wales. Great Little Trains of Wales Limited, twelve scenic steam railways.
Gwynedd County Council
Gwynedd County Council Bus Service
Historical Model Railway Society
Hot Tub Hideaways. Located close to the historic town of Llandrindod Wells in magnificent countryside, the luxurious Log Cabins at Heart of Wales Lodges are the perfect base for a romantic getaway or action-packed family holiday. With scenic walks, cycle trails, fishing, horse-riding and bird-watching right on the doorstep this lush green valley is a haven for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and get closer to nature. The lodges are designed to make the most of the spectacular vistas and have the added delight of an inviting outdoor hot tub. (Lodges available around the UK - See website for details.)
Isle of Man Guide. Including information on the Steam Railway, Electric Railway (world's oldest tram cars in regular operation), Groudle Glen Railway and the Snaefell Mountain Railway.
King Arthur's Labyrinth Underground Adventure. An Underground Storytelling Adventure in Corris, near Machynlleth in Mid Wales. Sail underground, through the great waterfall, and deep inside the spectacular caverns of the Labyrinth and far back in time. Once inside the Labyrinth, your hooded boatman guides you through tunnels and vast caverns, whilst you enjoy tales of King Arthur and other ancient Welsh legends. Stories of dragons, of giants, of battles and many more are told, complete with dramatic scenes, sound and light effects. Cool when Hot and Dry when Wet, this is the perfect all-weather attraction.
Lynton & Barnstaple Exhibition Model Railway, County Gate
Lynton & Barnstaple. Located in the South West of England, The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway was opened in 1898 and closed in 1935. Built to a track gauge of 1ft 11½in, it ran for a distance of 19½ miles linking the two North Devon towns from which it takes its name.
Marlow & District Railway Society. A group of railway enthusiasts based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and with members from the surrounding districts, including High Wycombe, Bourne End, Henley, Maidenhead and Twyford.
Narrow Gauge Pleasure. Excellent site by Nick Lewis devoted to The British Narrow Gauge Railways and what makes them worth visiting.
Nigel Bird Books. Looking for railway books, rare, out of print, secondhand or new then well worth a visit.
Pen y Bont Touring and Camping Park near Bala Lake, in the Snowdonia National Park is a fantastic base for many of the areas outdoor activities including Sailing, Walking, Canoeing, Kayaking and sightseeing. Alternatively can just relax in our beautiful and peaceful site, and take in the local scenery and enjoy the Beautiful Mountains, Lakes and Coastlines, Lake Vyrnwy and many other Tourist Attractions close by.
Penmaenbach, self catering accommodation offered on a working farm.
Penrhyn Railway Heritage Trust recently formed to restore and protect the Penrhyn Quarry Railway, probably the oldest 2 foot gauge railway in Wales.
Plas Dolguog Hotel. You can be sure of a warm welcome and an enjoyable stay at Plas Dolguog Hotel, Somewhere Special Since 1632.
Rhowniar Country House Self Catering near Aberdovey
UK Schooltrips. A free resource for teachers and other educational group trip organisers, to research, plan and book their own school trip and educational visit quickly and easily.
Snowdonia Log Cabins. Backing onto the Cader Idris mountain range with the popular beaches of Fairbourne and Barmouth less than two miles away.
The Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway. There's nothing quite like a journey on a steam train, through the beautiful countryside of Cornwall.
The Centre for Alternative Technology. Natural, technological and human worlds combined.
The Corris Bunkhouse. Ty'n y Berth and Bryn Coedwig are 2 Mountain Centres offering bunkhouse style accommodation, close to the village of Corris, between Machynlleth and Dolgellau, on the southern edge of the Snowdonia National Park.
The Corris Craft Centre near Machynlleth in Mid Wales, has ten Craft workshops packed with unique hand crafted items for your home, garden and gifts for others. Talented craftspeople can be seen producing a range of quality items ranging from traditional, rustic and contemporary. Visitors to the Craft Centre will see the Craftspeople at work and can buy directly from them. The perfect place for very special, yet slightly unusual, items for your home and gifts for others. Also a great place for your Christmas shopping.
The Great Little Trains of Wales are a very special way of seeing some of the best scenery in the British Isles. All are narrow gauge steam railways and some have a history spanning well over 100 years. All of them have in common the charm of old-time steam trains with plenty of polished paintwork and brass.
The Old Rectory on the lake nestles on the south side of Cader Idris, in North Wales, and enjoys spectacular views across Tal-y-Llyn to the steep sided mountain opposite.
The Slaters Arms, to where beer was once delivered by The Corris Railway. The pub has an extensive range of ales from The Celt Experience and other Welsh breweries.
The Talyllyn Railway 2' 3" gauge - same as The Corris Railway. Runs from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol.
The Teifi Valley Railway was created from a branch line of the Great Western Railway which served the West Wales rural area. Situated near the market town of Newcastle Emlyn between Carmarthen and Cardigan it offers the visitor a nostalgic reminder of the history of steam.
The Waldviertler Schmalspurbahnverein (Waldviertel narrow-gauge society) in Austria
The Welsh Highland Railway Project, the Ffestiniog-led project to re-open the WHR
The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway. Vintage trains, steam at work, restored period-style stations and magnificent countryside
Tudor House, Bell Busk, Nr. Malham, Yorkshire Dales. A rather unusual Guest House as it is a former Victorian Railway Station close to the preserved railways of Bolton Abbey and Keighley and Worth Valley.
UK & Ireland Heritage Railways
Wales Holidays, providing holiday cottages in Wales for over 35 years - Based in Newtown, Wales Holidays is a locally-based national cottage agency with an outstanding selection of rural and coastal self-catering holiday cottages in North Wales and Snowdonia, West Wales and Pembrokeshire, Gower, Mid Wales and the Brecon Beacons. We also cater for pet lovers with our pet friendly cottages.
Wales on Rails. The Great Little Trains of Wales marketing team initiated the Wales on Rails project, whose purpose is to promote tourism by using public transport throughout Wales.
Welsh Heritage Centre. If you are visiting this beautiful part of Wales and in search of some Welsh Culture, then look no further!
West Wales Holiday Cottages. Family-friendly and dog-friendly holiday cottages in Wales - visit, the local specialists.
West Wales Web. How to get there / Accommodation / Other places to visit and more...
Wincilate Limited based in Aberllefenni Slate Quarries, Wincilate Limited is a specialist supplier of all slate products for architectural, monumental, landscaping and civil engineering purposes. One of the slate quarries that were once served by the Corris Railway from around the 1850's - and is still operational today.

Timetable & Special Events

Great Little Trains Of Wales

Pre-booking is advisable!
Tickets are limited, passengers are advised to book in advance through our Ticket Office.

The Museum and shop are open half an hour before the departure of the first train and closes half an hour after the arrival back in Corris of the last train. Teas, coffees and light refreshments are available.

2024 Passenger Service & Museum Opening Days

Passenger services will operate on selected days between Good Friday 29th March to Saturday 26th October 2024. Trains leave Corris Station at the times shown below with a round trip taking 50 minutes. Santa Trains will operate on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2024. No single tickets are issued as under our planning requirements all journeys must start and end at Corris Station.

Fares & Train Times

Train Running Times: 11am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm & 3:30pm.
Extra trains may run on busy days. Later trains may run on some special events days.
Adult: £10.00, Child (5-15 years old): £5.00, Children Under 5: FREE,
Family (2 adults + 2 children): £25.00.
Well behaved dogs £1 (Assistance dogs are FREE).
Museum Admission: FREE.

Steam Gala – Fares

Pre-booking is essential!
Event Date: Saturday 15th June 2024.
Train Running Times: No set timetable.
Tickets: Adult: £10.00, Child (up to 15 years old): £5.00, Children Under 5: FREE.
Museum Admission: FREE.

Star guest Talyllyn locomotive No 3 “Sir Haydn” will be running alongside Corris locomotive new builds No 7 and No 10.
A trio of working steam locomotives in Maespoeth Junction engine shed will not have been seen since the cusp of the reigns of Edward VII and George V.

Pre-booking for this event is essential! Steam Train rides are limited, passengers are advised to book in advance.. Well behaved dogs are welcome and are carried on the train at the discretion of the train crew.

Santa Specials – Fares & Train Times

Pre-booking is essential for Santa Specials!
Train Running Days: Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2024.
Train Running Times: 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm.
Tickets: Adult: £7.50 (TBC), Child (up to 15 years old): £10.00 (TBC).
Museum Admission: FREE.

Our trains include provision for the carriage of wheelchair passengers and those with reduced mobility, as does the Museum and Ticket Office. Well behaved dogs are welcome and are carried on the train at the discretion of the train crew.

2024 Special Events (Train times may vary on special event days)
SATURDAY 15th JuneThe Falcons Will Fly! Steam Gala🚂 For the first time in over a century two "Falcon" locomotives will operate simultaneously on the Corris Railway!

Star guest Talyllyn locomotive No 3 "Sir Haydn" will be running alongside Corris locomotive new builds No 7 and No 10.

A trio of working steam locomotives in Maespoeth Junction engine shed will not have been seen since the cusp of the reigns of Edward VII and George V.

🎟 Pre-booking for this event is essential! Steam Train rides are limited, passengers are advised to book in advance.

Book Now!

Corris Railway and The Museum is open half an hour before the departure of the first train and closes half an hour after the arrival back in Corris of the last train. Our shop will be open for the sale of books and gifts.

Contact: enquiries@corris.co.uk
SATURDAY 24th & SUNDAY 25th AUGUSTMODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Y Plas Machynlleth SY20 8EROur annual Model Railway Exhibition which features a diverse mixture of layouts in various scales (and usually has at least one where children can try their hand at “driving” the trains) will be open over two days of the Bank Holiday Weekend. There are also trade stands, a Corris Railway Sales outlet and one raising funds for our Southern Extension project. Refreshments and light snacks will be available. Opening hours are 10.00 to 16.30.
Train services will also be running as usual on the Railway itself, about four and a half miles away (Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th).
Contact: enquiries@corris.co.uk
SATURDAY 7th & SUNDAY 8th DECEMBERSANTA STEAM TRAINSDefy Scrooge and his like and take a steam train trip to meet Santa in his special part of Maespoeth Junction. There are presents for the children, activities to take part and seasonal refreshments for adults and children alike. Advance booking is essential. Contact: "Enquiries" at enquiries@corris.co.uk

We try to ensure that steam trains run as advertised. The Corris Railway may have to cancel, alter or suspend the published timetable with or without notice, or to use a diesel locomotive in the unlikely event of a breakdown or crew shortage. It accepts no liability for any loss, inconvenience, disappointment or delay caused by this.

We regret that cancellations can only be entertained with more than 7 days to go before travel and that any cancellation will be subject to a 20% administration fee.

  • star rating  2nd visit
    I adore this placem
    found out souxh more about the railway this visit and even got to go into the engine
    will sure be back to... read more

    avatar thumb Zoe S
    23rd July 2023
  • star rating  A fantastic narrow gauge railway - We visited the railway on July 5th and it was a fantastic experience. The loco and rolling stock were in immaculate condition and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.... read more

    avatar thumb martinsB7914BX
    13th July 2023
  • star rating  Worth a visit - Nice little railway. 3 year old son really enjoyed it. Train ride is only 10 minutes each way and then there is a short talk about the history of the... read more

    avatar thumb A9256HKsarahj
    10th June 2023
  • star rating  A trip down Memory Lane - This is an absolutely delightful experience. You start off in the ticket office and are given an old fashioned ticket to be punched. There’s a museum and you can have... read more

    avatar thumb ElderflowerCordial
    12th April 2023
  • star rating  Nice little spot to stop off - Very pleasant place to visit. There wasn’t tonnes to look through but the museum was quaint and well kept. The staff were very friendly and the tour of facilities at... read more

    avatar thumb MarkcD13
    28th August 2022
  • star rating  Small but perfectly formed - Not a long ride (yet!) but the locomotive and carriages were authentic and immaculate, the operating practices excellent, the views pleasant, and the staff extremely friendly. Delightful and an object... read more

    avatar thumb Andrew K
    3rd July 2022
  • star rating  We only had time for the £5 20 minute round trip on this little railway, but it was such great fun and really enjoyable. Staff were brilliant and it was... read more

    avatar thumb Linda P
    1st May 2022
  • star rating  Fabulous day out - Absolutely fabulous
    Spotlessly clean train and carriages
    Informative staff
    Very memorable day
    Thank you

    avatar thumb Angela M
    18th April 2022
  • star rating  Narrow Gauge Gem - Friendly little railway in the lovely village of Corris. Only about 1 1/2 miles long currently but has an interesting history and definitely worth a visit. Can be reached by... read more

    avatar thumb railway_chap
    1st June 2021
  • star rating  Day trip - Great train 🚂 you could hop on and off at the various towns and explore.

    Plenty to do on the way for both a young child and a tween.... read more

    avatar thumb Pie_and_henders
    2nd February 2020

Party Bookings & Special Train Hire


Within national and local Covid-19 restrictions, we welcome group and coach party bookings and can arrange special trains for special occasions such as birthdays. Other attractions to visit in the area include King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Corris Craft Centre and the Centre for Alternative Technology. We are located in Corris village, reached by turning off the A487 Dolgellau – Machynlleth road at the Braich Goch Inn. Visiting as a group? Contact Graeme Jolley at Corris Railway Group Bookings or Download a Group Booking Form.

Your Railway for a Day

Would you and a small group of similarly-minded friends like to spend a few hours trying your hands at driving steam, diesel and battery powered electric locomotives on part of the oldest narrow gauge railway in Mid Wales?

We can offer the Experience Day on days when normal services are not operating (see www.corris.co.uk for timetable arrangements). Prices are £408 for a diesel day or £504 for a steam day. Maximum 6 participants – or you can book the day for yourself or a loved one as a special experience if you wish.

As well as driving and firing locomotives you can cover some track that our passenger trains do not traverse, spend time in the signalbox and work with the guard. And help to move the loco on the new traverser at Corris station.

Participants should be physically fit and must not have consumed alcohol or drugs in the eight hours before the day begins.

For enquiries and bookings please contact Graeme Jolley at Corris Railway Railway For A Day Bookings

Small Railway with Big Ambitions

We have big projects on the go: extending the line southwards to Tan y Coed Forest Amenity Site, re-developing Corris Station, and building a second new steam locomotive. Visitors can see parts of the new loco and four replica Victorian carriages in our workshops. Also see a model of the proposed new station at Corris in the museum.

Please help us to develop the Railway by slipping a donation into one of the collecting boxes at Corris and Maespoeth Stations. Every penny counts. Thank you.

Track our work in progress at www.corris.co.uk – updated most weeks. Follow us on Twitter & Facebook.

The Falcon Locomotive

Falcon on the traverser

THE “FALCON” STEAM LOCOMOTIVE – CORRIS NO. 10.

The following is an abbreviated story of the second steam locomotive to enter traffic in the revival of the Corris Railway. For a fuller account a 36pp booklet “The New Steam Locomotive For The Corris Railway – Falcon Locomotive No. 10” can be purchased from the website shop or at the Museum sales counter when the Railway is running public service trains.

Having taken delivery of the new “Tattoo” locomotive, No. 7, in 2005 the Corris Railway had taken a major step in the revival of the line and along the way to evoking the Railway as it was in the first decades of the 20th Century. No. 7 was clearly a classmate of Corris, now Talyllyn, No. 4, albeit eighty years younger.

Members of the Corris Railway Society then turned their thoughts toward what should be constructed next. A neat answer would have been to have another “Tattoo” constructed as the engineering drawings were to hand and it is a straightforward design. Against this the original Corris only had one of these Kerr Stuart machines on its books and to enhance the evocation a Hughes “Falcon” was desirable. The downsides to that plan was that the “Falcon” design dated to 1878 and it was a considerably more complex machine. A third school of thought was to go for a Kerr Stuart “Thames” class – similar to the “Tattoo” but carrying its water supply in side tanks rather than a saddle tank.

The options were put before the CRS membership and the majority of those who voted were in favour of the “Falcon”. Peter and Rosie Guest who had overseen the “Tattoo” project agreed to take on the same role and the work on bringing the new locomotive to the Dulas Valley began.

The first requirement was to find a specialist railway engineering company with experience of building narrow gauge locomotives who would be prepared to make progress with construction as the Corris raised the funds. The well-established firm of Alan Keef Ltd based in Lea near Ross-on-Wye agreed to tackle the project and over the ensuing years this proved to be an ideal arrangement as Keef’s were supportive of the Corris throughout and developed a good relationship with the skilled engineers among the CR’s volunteer workforce.

Before any metal could be cut engineering drawings were required. The Hughes Company was absorbed eventually into Brush Engineering at Loughborough and they were contacted. Sadly they had no drawings of the Corris engines in their archives and nor did the National Railway Museum or the Great Western Railway Society. Fortunately the original Corris No. 3 is alive and well at the Talyllyn Railway and was available for measuring. The TR was also very supportive of the “Falcon” project all the way through but even with their help the drawing work eventually absorbed £25,000.

The first major component top be constructed was the boiler which came from the workshops of Israel Newton and Son. That cost £31,000 and although the project has attracted a lot of support and donation income there was then a need to allow the bank balance to recover. The boiler went on display in the carriage shed at Maespoeth Junction together with some smaller components and explanation boards in the hope of bringing more donations from visitors to the Railway.

Donations did indeed continue to come in and a sales stand selling donated models travelled to model railway exhibitions which further boosted the funds. The frames for the loco were cut and erected at Keef’s and the driving wheels, which are unusually solid castings rather than spoked, were cast and drilled for the crank pins. Unfortunately there was a delay in delivery of the tyres for the driving wheels from a specialist manufacturer in South Africa which pushed back the rate of construction.

Once these had arrived and had been fitted matters at Keef’s moved on producing the component parts for the motion. A number of these were individually sponsored by supporters and a further generous donation allowed the cylinders to be cast. These were then machined and fitted.

In parallel with work on the motion a Corris volunteer with engineering skills and a well-equipped workshop set to work and produced the trailing truck and its wheels. This work was also sponsored by an individual donor and it began a sequence of work by engineering skilled Corris Railway Society volunteers that included brake components, safety valve parts, buffers and trial erection of the cab sections after they had been commercially cut.

It was hoped that the wheels and motion would be ready to be demonstrated and moved by compressed air at an Alan Keef Open Day in September 2020 but the Covid pandemic brought that plan to a halt. However the smokebox assembly and door were produced and moved first to Maespoeth Junction. Shortly after their arrival they were moved again, together with the boiler, to Keef’s in 2021.

The high spot of 2021 for those connected with the project came in June when Keef’s placed online a video of a hose being connected and compressed air moving the motion and wheels for the first time.

The cab gauges and controls were sponsored by another individual and many other donations, plus sales from attending exhibitions meant 2022 was a year of major and quick progress. Another major landmark was passed when the boiler was successfully tested hydraulically. Larger visible items made and fitted included the saddle tank and the cab was bolted together.

At the end of September the “Falcon” was steamed for the first time and a few days later at an Alan Keef Open Day it could be seen steaming back and forth on a short length of demonstration track. It attracted a large amount of attention and the sight of it on the move was heartening but much remained to be done.

The jobs done over the next 11 months included lagging the boiler, fitting buffers and many other seemingly smaller, but very important jobs. Most crucial was the fitting of the air brake mechanism.

Finally the “Falcon” was painted and it was delivered to Maespoeth Junction on August 30th 2023. On September 8th it worked its first trains on a special day for supporters and the media and ran its first public passenger trains on September 9th and 10th 2023.

TICKET OFFICE: Pre-booking is advisable! Tickets are limited, passengers are advised to book in advance through our websiteBook Now