New loco completes 2023 service as Corris Railway focuses on next project
Following the arrival of steam locomotive ‘Falcon’ number 10, volunteers at Corris Railway are now turning their attention to the next major project which will double the journey for passengers.
‘Falcon’ completed its first spell of operations on the railway on October 21, having headed all passenger trains since its entrance into traffic on September 8. Engineers from Alan Keef Ltd at Ross-on-Wye and Corris Railway will now work on a snagging list of minor problems on the new loco, the paintwork and lining out of which will be completed before in returns to passenger train services next Easter.
A 36-page full colour booklet telling the story of the ‘Falcon’ from inception to its first workings has been produced and can be purchased from the railway’s website shop for £3 plus postage and package.
The next major project for Corris Railway will be extending the line southward from Maespoeth Junction to Pont Y Goedwig which will double the length of the journey for passengers.
The work includes completing a new embankment and bridging Goedwig stream itself. The embankment is needed because part of the original line route was lost to A487 road improvements.
The annual Santa Trains will run on December 9 and 10, headed by the railway’s other steam locomotive ‘Tattoo’ number 7. Details of these and advance bookings can be seen and made at www.corris.co.uk.
Volunteers will continue with other projects during the winter, including the latest new build carriage which is moving towards completion in the workshops at Maespoeth Junction.
When finished, the carriage will offer first class accommodation for the first time in the history of the railway’s revival.
A new trestle waggon has also been completed which will allow the railway to demonstrate how slabs of slate were once conveyed along the Dulas Valley from quarries to the mainline station at Machynlleth.
Painting, track maintenance and control of lineside vegetation is always ongoing and more volunteers are welcome.
Picture caption:
New steam locomotive ‘Falcon’ number 10.