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Developments on the Corris Railway

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Corris Steam, May 22, 2016.

  1. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    That picture was used as a commercial postcard with enhanced smoke and steam. Seven coaches and a van headed by numbers 2 and 3. As you say it's an exceptionally long train and there are few passengers to be seen aboard. It's probably heading back up after the Dulas Valley after taking people to a special event in Machynlleth.
     
  2. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I recall the caption mentioning "nearly all moving parts" and rather more dubiously, included the term "market day". You have to suspect that if market days habitually produced enough punters to justify trains of that length, the passenger services might've lasted longer than they did. So, market day seems unlikely

    The repeated calls of CR management to use only the bare minimum number of carriages, coupled with a conspicuous lack of goods vehicles in tow, make that photo even more unusual. I checked for Eisteddfodau between the dates of rebuilding the locos and replacement of the Dyfi Bridge and the closest they came to Machynlleth during that period were Brecon, Llanelli, Merthyr, Blaenau, Caernarfon, Bangor and Rhyl. So, doubtful (but not impossible) it was Eisteddfod related.

    That leaves the historic twice-yearly fair at Mach. I've seen photographic evidence it was still going in 1885, but can't discover when it was last held. Would the fair (which had been going for hundreds of years) have been one of those local institutions which came to an end with the carnage of WWI, or the aftermath of the Great Depression?
     
  3. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    Brecon from Mach via a change at Moat Lane would have been feasible for a day out and possibly Merthyr. Presumably the Cambrian would have run extra trains for the event. Corris had a Male Voice Choir and Silver Band and Aberllefenni also had a Male Voice Choir, both of whom used the train to get to Eisteddfods.
     
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  4. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    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 11.00 a.m., 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. 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 shopping 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.
     
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  5. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    After a bit of a gap there are new pictures on the website from the Railway itself and also of work in progress at Alan Keef's on number 10.
     
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  6. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just passed a very satisfying fifty-something minutes watching this, from Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels. If you just want the bit where a small, four coupled loco gets to grips with four on, from a standing start on a 1:30, just forward to 37'41" (or rewind to re-watch!). Hope you enjoy this video as much as I did:

     
  7. Dunfanaghy Road

    Dunfanaghy Road Well-Known Member

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    Interesting. No 7 is a very nice piece of kit. Am I just a crusty old curmudgeon, but I found the presenter's blethering quickly became irritating?
    Pat
     
  8. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well, yes, as a matter of fact, you are* .... but it was a bit! Bloomim' lovely little loco tho'. IMO, it could have used a bit more on just what tweaking the folks at Statfold did. Whatever it was, it seems to have worked rather well.


    *it takes one to know one! :)
     
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  9. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    Was tipped off by one of my colleagues on today's trip to the L and B. I enjoyed the film. There's a brief clip on the Corris Facebook page, which I can watch without being signed up, of the first service train heading through Maespoeth Jnc this morning.
     
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  10. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    And piling thrill upon thrill and sensation upon sensation there are new photos on the www.ccorris.co.uk uk website tonight. There has been a gap while work has concentrated on getting online ticketing set up.
     
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  11. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Mmm..... compendious update that, but 'fraid your link is stuttering a bit. Interesting to see 'Moscow Rules' apply to gantry hoists too.

    It's a real tragedy that 'Ash Die-Back' seems to be spreading like wildfire. At this rate, they'll be as rare as elms. :(
     
  12. GHWood

    GHWood Member

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    I thought it was great! Each to their own though and a fantastic advert for the Corris!
     
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  13. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Plus we know how to keep our tattoos properly lubricated now! I did like selling this year's service as the "last opportunity to see P-P operations". AIUI, the traverser to be employed at Corris is currently being manufactured.

    The latest update on the progress with No.10 is most encouraging. I'm intrigued to learn if the Falcon's design was subject to similar sorts of improvements, as applied to No.7. Does anyone know, please?

    This is a line who organise their expenditure on a sensible and sustainable basis. Can't wait to pay a visit! :)
     
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  14. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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  15. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    There are more new pictures on the website this evening
     
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  16. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    Roadworks for 110 weeks! That's going to be popular.
     
  17. Llwyngwern

    Llwyngwern Member

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    The work done on number 7 at Statfold was as follows

    The main steam pipes were remade with smoother curves to a 1.75 inch internal diameter

    Valve exhaust pockets were remade to allow a greater escape of exhaust steam

    The reverser quadrant had its notches recut to meet the valve events with maximum efficiency

    The pistons were remade at the correct size

    New bushes were fitted to the piston glands

    And there was a repaint
     
  18. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Great progress on carriage No.24 and I'm particularly loving the timber chassis for heritage waggon No.5. I've got a real weakness for heritage waggonry in general and that of the Corris in particular.

    Many thanks for the info on No.7's breath-over. Hoping I can convince "the powers that be" to spend a few days in the area, if only to see the loco's decidedly elusive livery (sometimes red, sometimes a red-ish brown) for myself. Last time I was round thataway, the Corris was no more than an historic footnote.
     
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  19. meeee

    meeee Member

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    I would have thought not being built by Winson Engineering would bring huge improvements to any engine.

    Tim
     
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  20. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    If designed and built by Winson, fairy nuff, but if designed elsewhere, the blame needs spreading a bit wider (unless you don't want a job carried out to the design supplied!)

    Given the range of issues leading to the extensive rebuild of BVR No.9, I can imagine the sort of issues referred to.
     
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