Corris 150

On 1st April 1859 the first gravity train of loaded waggons ran down what was then the Corris, Machynlleth & River Dovey Tramroad, and were later hauled back up the line by horses. Next Wednesday the Corris Railway will be running a gravity train from Corris to Maespoeth to mark the occasion, the first part of a series of events to mark the railway's 150th birthday. During Easter weekend there will be demonstration horse-hauled goods trains in operation in Maespoeth yard (accessible only by train from Corris).

Contractors have been on site at Maespoeth over the last couple of weeks removing the haul road that provided road vehicle access to the new carriage shed, and grading and spreading ballast on the new formation, so that from this weekend the railway's volunteers will be hard at work laying the track to provide rail access to the new shed. The chassis of the railway's next carriage, No.22, which will have a clerestory roof to match those fitted to two of the original carriages in the early 20th century, is already in the shed and work on its assembly will soon re-commence.

Photos of the ongoing activity are posted regularly on the railway's website at www.corris.co.uk.

Richard

 

Great news, i've been very impressed by what the railway has achieved over the years. Out of interest, what is the gradient going to be out of the carriage shed?

Chris

 

Don't be fooled into thinking that at less than a mile the Corris isn't worth a visit - it's a great little line! I just called in on the off-chance four years ago, signed up, called in for a day early on with the new shed and am now working my way up as a member of the Operations department. The bug got me! I never thought I'd get the chance to fire an engine but CR are happy to give me all the encouragement, help and advice that is needed to move from being a cleaner to a fireman.

If you only visit one new line this year do yourself a favour and make it the Corris!

 

I called in recently and I was extremely impressed. There is a lot of equipment piled up and ready for action. My membership application is in the post.

Apart from the preserved section I have enjoyed following the trace of the upper section up towards Ratgoed, from where there is a wonderful drive on the logging roads over the hills to the Maddwy valley, in fact you come out on the remains of the Hendre Ddu tramway.

Tim

 

Tracklaying of the new lines at Maespoeth got under way over the weekend, with four of the five new turnouts required being put into place and track to link them being installed. Photos of progress so far can be seen at www.corris.co.uk. Any experienced track layers (or indeed anyone not experienced but willing to learn !) would be welcome at Corris over the next few weekends. Surely there must be some frustrated Welsh Highland tracklayers out there looking for somewhere to put their skills to work again !!

Three waggons have returned from exile at Tywyn to take part in the Corris 150 celebrations, courtesy of the Talyllyn Railway and the narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust. They were brought back "over the hill" on Sunday.

Richard

 

Looking forward to popping over on Easter Saturday afternoon - looks like an interesting line.

 

Keep your hands off 'em... [-X

They've got 40 miles of track to maintain now - no time for gallivanting about in foreign climes... [-(

;-)

 

Excuse my ignorance, but how long is Corris now? What are the extension plans? I admit I keep in the know about alot of NG railways but Corris is one I know little about, but would like to know as it is truely a rare and beautiful thing, from what I have seen thus far!

 

It's just under a mile, but don't let that put you off. The track winds through copses, over a small waterfall and past numerous sheep in fields. There is a smashing view up the valley above Corris and at times it is possible to watch part of a Corris Utd football match just before getting to Corris itself. Call in once and you'll be hooked.

 

Sounds absolutely lovely! What are the extension potentials??? Must make a visit someday! Hopefully coming up to Wales with my girlfriend, although I doubt I can convince her to go to another railway!

 

We have had the planning application for the Goedwig Deviation (the next section south of Maespoeth) held up by the highways authorities for the last four or five years but following a meeting a couple of weeks ago we are hopeful that they will now agree to the application being approved. Long-term we hope to reach the Centre for Alternative Technology two miles down the valley at Llwyngwern.

The railway's 150th birthday was celebrated yesterday on a typically sunny day in Corris (!) with a number of gravity runs; we couldn't quite manage to have the local populace covering the hillsides for the occasion as they did 150 years ago but the local school turned out in force and a good number of members and enthusiasts came by and enjoyed the occasion. Having run the waggons down by gravity, we have to wait until Easter Saturday for the horse that is going to pull them back up again......

Richard

 

Any pictures around Richard?

 

Hopefully some will arrive on the website shortly - though having spent most of the time driving the diesel that was standing in for the horse, I didn't get to take many myself. Incidentally, Marq, the waggon you painted up in Corris livery ran a hot box on the practice run (despite being liberally dosed with oil) and had to be taken out of service.

Richard

 

Photos of the 1st April runs can now be seen at www.corris.co.uk

Richard

 

Very nice - I only look after the window dressing these days. I paint the waggons and engines and then let people who think they can paint come up with grand schemes. \/

 

A very successful Easter at Corris, with Truman the Railway Horse in action on the Saturday and Sunday, and the rail connections to the carriage shed being laid in during the weekend - at last the carriages can be stored in their own shed and all four locos kept in the original engine shed. There is still plenty of spiking, packing and levelling to do on the new track, but it can now be used for ecs workings. Next big day is the official opening of the carriage shed on May 9th.

As always, photos can be found at www.corris.co.uk

Richard