Will running a Welsh railway for the day be on Santa’s list this Christmas?

With just over a week to go until the big day, are you struggling to find an unusual Christmas gift for the special person in your life?

What about taking over a Welsh narrow-gauge railway for the day in 2023? The gift can either be for one person or can be shared with a group of up to six friends.

They will get to experience the thrill of standing on the footplate of locomotives and going behind the scenes to see what makes the railway tick.

They can even wave the guard’s flag and pull the levers in the signal box. In effect, they will be helping to run the railway for the day, under the supervision of trained volunteers.

The biggest train set that anyone could hope for in their Christmas stocking is a ‘Your Railway for the Day” offer from Corris Railway, near Machynlleth in Mid Wales. The offer can be taken up, subject to volunteer availability, on days without timetabled operations.

The emphasis of the day, which will run from 10am to 5pm, can be adapted to match the interests of those attending. The offer also includes membership of Corris Railway Society for a year.

The day costs £500 and is limited to six people – just over £80 each for six people. The fee can be reduced to £400 by excluding a steam locomotive.

Drinks are supplied but not food, however sandwiches can be purchased in Corris village café, 100 yards from the station.A non-refundable deposit of £100 must be paid with the booking followed by the balance 10 days before the experience day. The offer is limited to people aged 18 and above who must be reasonably fit and have not consumed alcohol or drugs in the previous 12 hours.

For more information and to discuss making a booking, contact bookings@corris.co.uk

Corris Railway is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent company representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.

Picture caption:

Corris Railway could be yours for a day.