I take your point, Alan, but if we build a second loco over the same
ten-year period that we built No.7, then it could be quite difficult
to ensure that it was ready when needed for the extended line unless
the project commences fairly soon. It is possible that once the
present planning hoops are jumped through, the extension could be
under way and be built quite quickly - witness events around
Beddgelert. Ideally we would then need to be ready to run a two-
train service in the peak period.

Our method of development requires us to manage a balancing act
between perceived needs in terms of rolling stock, the funding to
acquire them, and the time taken to create them. If we continue to
build our own carriages, then we need to keep the programme going so
that we have sufficient available for a service to Tan-y-Coed when
the time comes. Likewise, if we continue to build locos piece by
piece as the funding comes in, then we need the project to commence
well ahead of the date when it may be crucial to have a second loco.

A heritage railway with only one steam loco is vulnerable to
mechanical failure - when No.7 had to be taken out of service at
Easter due to the pony truck needing attention, it was notable that
potential passengers who had come expecting steam were much less
keen to travel by diesel. Quite apart from the need for a back-up in
these circumstances, there is also the consideration that when No.7
comes up for its ten-year major overhaul, it would take the pressure
off the work if it was not still our sole steam loco.

Richard

--- In corris-discuss@..., Alan Cox <alan@l...> wrote:
>
> Ar Maw, 2006-10-24 am 07:02 +0000, ysgrifennodd rgcorris:
> > Not sure where the idea of a "very short run" comes from - any
loco
> > constructed for the Corris needs to be able to tackle the two-
and-a-
> > half mile run from Tan-y-Coed to Corris with a loaded train, up
the 1
> > in 30 bank below Maespoeth.
>
> I can't help feeling that until the railway actually runs that far
> the extra locomotive is something that should not go beyond
> planning stages.
>
> Alan
>

Ar Maw, 2006-10-24 am 07:02 +0000, ysgrifennodd rgcorris:
> Not sure where the idea of a "very short run" comes from - any loco
> constructed for the Corris needs to be able to tackle the two-and-a-
> half mile run from Tan-y-Coed to Corris with a loaded train, up the 1
> in 30 bank below Maespoeth.

I can't help feeling that until the railway actually runs that far the
extra locomotive is something that should not go beyond planning stages.

Alan

Not sure where the idea of a "very short run" comes from - any loco
constructed for the Corris needs to be able to tackle the two-and-a-
half mile run from Tan-y-Coed to Corris with a loaded train, up the 1
in 30 bank below Maespoeth.

Richard

>
> Lawson's reply -
>
> Many thanks for your detailed response. I must confess that I
> hadn't thought about the relative power outputs of a Hunslet and
> a 'real' Corris loco, but I don't feel it would be a significant
> problem, considering the very short run involved, and also the way
> the Statfold loco tackled the quite fierce gradients there.

Lawson's reply -

Many thanks for your detailed response. I must confess that I hadn't
thought about the relative power outputs of a Hunslet and a 'real'
Corris loco, but I don't feel it would be a significant problem,
considering the very short run involved, and also the way the
Statfold loco tackled the quite fierce gradients there. I was mainly
concerned with the possible cost - I don't have the figures to hand
but was under the impression that 'our' loco cost well north of
£200k.

While of course it would be most desirable to create a
second 'genuine' replica (if that isn't a contradiction) the
financial practicalities must be over-riding. I suspect a second
steam loco will remain a pipe dream for years to come, but PLEASE,
not a twin to the Tattoo, whatever the operating boys think !

Lawson

--- In corris-discuss@..., "rgcorris" <RSG_Corris@h...>
wrote:
>
> Lawson -
>
> I am afraid that I do not agree with you when you say that you do
not
> accept the argument that a second loco should need to be connected
> with the old Corris. One of the joys of the original narrow gauge
> lines in Great Britain was how each one had its distinct character,
> in which the rolling stock played an important part. As you
mention,
> the Talyllyn has non-original locos, but they also have both the
> types of loco that ran on the original line. In my opinion, this
> should be the same plan for the Corris – have examples of both of
the
> original loco types before considering adding non-originals
(although
> it would obviously be a different matter if a private owner offered
> the use of a suitable loco). Even the Ffestiniog, in creating a new
> single Fairlie, has followed a similar principle of having an
example
> of each type of original loco in addition to the incomers (the case
> for some of the other England variants/conditions remains the
subject
> of debate).
>
> If we were going to bring in a non-Corris type I must admit my
> preference would be to re-create a lost class – for example the KS
> Skylark that used to run on the Snailbeach. Quarry Hunslets are not
> exactly an uncommon sight ! Off-hand I think your price of £120k is
> comparable to what we paid for the "Tattoo". The other concern with
a
> Quarry Hunslet would be its suitability for the Corris – I don't
have
> figures for tractive effort to hand to compare it to the Tattoo or
> Falcon designs but I suspect it would be significantly less. After
> all, it was designed for short runs on relatively flat formations
on
> the quarry terracing, and when they needed something for the longer
> run to the port, they came up with Charles, Linda & Blanche (which,
> incidentally, are outside the Corris loading gauge). All the
heritage
> lines I can think of that use Quarry Hunslets in regular service
are
> based on relatively easily-graded formations, mostly ex-standard
> gauge, whereas the Corris requires a loco that can handle a 1 in 30
> bank. The Falcon design in particular seems to have worked
extremely
> well for the Corris over 70 years, with a number of improvements
> incorporated as they went along, no doubt as a result of experience
> gained in operation.
>
> Anyway, we are keen to have a healthy debate amongst the
membership,
> and it a pity you cannot come to the AGM to contribute there.
>
> Richard
>
> >
> > Comments from Lawson Little (posted at his request) :
> >
> > I was interested to see this matter raised in the latest Corris-
> > Pondent and thought I would offer my "three-pennorth".
> >
> > Option 1 - another "Tattoo" - DEFINITELY NOT ! Visitors will come
> to
> > see a different loco, NOT another the same, different livery
> > notwithstanding.
> >
> > Options 2 and 3 - I don't accept the argument that a second loco
> > should have to be connected with the old Corris in any way. We
have
> > one replica; the Talyllyn (of which I'm also a member) has
several
> > locos which have absolutely no connection with the original line,
> but
> > as long as they can also point to the original ones everyone is
> > happy.
> >
> > Surely the obvious choice is a Statfold Hunslet (usual
disclaimer).
> I
> > visited there a few weeks ago and the second example is virtually
> > complete with two more in process. I understand that the price is
> > around £120,000, and would be extermely interested to know how
this
> > figure compares with the Tattoo - half ? The Statfold set-up is
> > extremely professional, and the fact that they are 'mass-
producing'
> > would be excellent for the spares situation.
> >
> > Unfortunately, having just returned from Wales, another visit for
> the
> > AGM is not possible, but I would be interested in your reaction
to
> > the above in due course.
> >
> > Lawson
> >
>

Lawson -

I am afraid that I do not agree with you when you say that you do not
accept the argument that a second loco should need to be connected
with the old Corris. One of the joys of the original narrow gauge
lines in Great Britain was how each one had its distinct character,
in which the rolling stock played an important part. As you mention,
the Talyllyn has non-original locos, but they also have both the
types of loco that ran on the original line. In my opinion, this
should be the same plan for the Corris – have examples of both of the
original loco types before considering adding non-originals (although
it would obviously be a different matter if a private owner offered
the use of a suitable loco). Even the Ffestiniog, in creating a new
single Fairlie, has followed a similar principle of having an example
of each type of original loco in addition to the incomers (the case
for some of the other England variants/conditions remains the subject
of debate).

If we were going to bring in a non-Corris type I must admit my
preference would be to re-create a lost class – for example the KS
Skylark that used to run on the Snailbeach. Quarry Hunslets are not
exactly an uncommon sight ! Off-hand I think your price of £120k is
comparable to what we paid for the "Tattoo". The other concern with a
Quarry Hunslet would be its suitability for the Corris – I don't have
figures for tractive effort to hand to compare it to the Tattoo or
Falcon designs but I suspect it would be significantly less. After
all, it was designed for short runs on relatively flat formations on
the quarry terracing, and when they needed something for the longer
run to the port, they came up with Charles, Linda & Blanche (which,
incidentally, are outside the Corris loading gauge). All the heritage
lines I can think of that use Quarry Hunslets in regular service are
based on relatively easily-graded formations, mostly ex-standard
gauge, whereas the Corris requires a loco that can handle a 1 in 30
bank. The Falcon design in particular seems to have worked extremely
well for the Corris over 70 years, with a number of improvements
incorporated as they went along, no doubt as a result of experience
gained in operation.

Anyway, we are keen to have a healthy debate amongst the membership,
and it a pity you cannot come to the AGM to contribute there.

Richard

>
> Comments from Lawson Little (posted at his request) :
>
> I was interested to see this matter raised in the latest Corris-
> Pondent and thought I would offer my "three-pennorth".
>
> Option 1 - another "Tattoo" - DEFINITELY NOT ! Visitors will come
to
> see a different loco, NOT another the same, different livery
> notwithstanding.
>
> Options 2 and 3 - I don't accept the argument that a second loco
> should have to be connected with the old Corris in any way. We have
> one replica; the Talyllyn (of which I'm also a member) has several
> locos which have absolutely no connection with the original line,
but
> as long as they can also point to the original ones everyone is
> happy.
>
> Surely the obvious choice is a Statfold Hunslet (usual disclaimer).
I
> visited there a few weeks ago and the second example is virtually
> complete with two more in process. I understand that the price is
> around £120,000, and would be extermely interested to know how this
> figure compares with the Tattoo - half ? The Statfold set-up is
> extremely professional, and the fact that they are 'mass-producing'
> would be excellent for the spares situation.
>
> Unfortunately, having just returned from Wales, another visit for
the
> AGM is not possible, but I would be interested in your reaction to
> the above in due course.
>
> Lawson
>

Comments from Lawson Little (posted at his request) :

I was interested to see this matter raised in the latest Corris-
Pondent and thought I would offer my "three-pennorth".

Option 1 - another "Tattoo" - DEFINITELY NOT ! Visitors will come to
see a different loco, NOT another the same, different livery
notwithstanding.

Options 2 and 3 - I don't accept the argument that a second loco
should have to be connected with the old Corris in any way. We have
one replica; the Talyllyn (of which I'm also a member) has several
locos which have absolutely no connection with the original line, but
as long as they can also point to the original ones everyone is
happy.

Surely the obvious choice is a Statfold Hunslet (usual disclaimer). I
visited there a few weeks ago and the second example is virtually
complete with two more in process. I understand that the price is
around £120,000, and would be extermely interested to know how this
figure compares with the Tattoo - half ? The Statfold set-up is
extremely professional, and the fact that they are 'mass-producing'
would be excellent for the spares situation.

Unfortunately, having just returned from Wales, another visit for the
AGM is not possible, but I would be interested in your reaction to
the above in due course.

Lawson

Thank you, Richard. A very full and satisfying answer!

--- In corris-discuss@..., "rgcorris"
<RSG_Corris@h...> wrote:
>
> As far as can be worked out from the photographic evidence -
>
> In the early days of the steam-hauled passenger service, it seems
> that all passenger trains had the van at the downhill end of the
> train - at that time the van body was taller than the carriages
and
> was equipped with a guard's lookout. The four-wheel carriages had
> individual screw brakes, and it looks as though the early bogie
> vehicles also had individual screw brakes. In the 1890s all
passenger
> vehicles were fitted with vacuum brakes, and in the period up to
the
> Great War some trains appear without the van and others with.
>
> It is thought that after the Great War one carriage saloon was
> converted into a guard's compartment. By the mid-1920s it appears
> that the trains were running without the vacuum system connected,
and
> it may be that the guard had a brake in the carriage which allowed
> trains to run without the van - which seems to have been the norm
at
> that time.
>
> There are few photos showing mixed trains, but those that are
known
> seem to show the carriages next to the loco - which would make
sense,
> as it would have been very uncomfortable for the passengers if
they
> were behind a rake of loose-coupled waggons.
>
> Hope that helps
>
> Richard
>
>
> --- In corris-discuss@..., "Steve Clarke"
> <s.r.clarke@z...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi All,
> >
> > a few questions - can some knowledgeable soul enlighten me
please?
> >
> > Was the brake van used on passenger trains originally?
> >
> > (If not were there ever any carriages with accomodation for a
> guard?)
> >
> > Were the passenger carriages vacuum braked?
> >
> > How were mixed trains marshalled? (ie were passengers next to
loco
> or
> > at the back?)
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Steve Clarke
> >
>

As far as can be worked out from the photographic evidence -

In the early days of the steam-hauled passenger service, it seems
that all passenger trains had the van at the downhill end of the
train - at that time the van body was taller than the carriages and
was equipped with a guard's lookout. The four-wheel carriages had
individual screw brakes, and it looks as though the early bogie
vehicles also had individual screw brakes. In the 1890s all passenger
vehicles were fitted with vacuum brakes, and in the period up to the
Great War some trains appear without the van and others with.

It is thought that after the Great War one carriage saloon was
converted into a guard's compartment. By the mid-1920s it appears
that the trains were running without the vacuum system connected, and
it may be that the guard had a brake in the carriage which allowed
trains to run without the van - which seems to have been the norm at
that time.

There are few photos showing mixed trains, but those that are known
seem to show the carriages next to the loco - which would make sense,
as it would have been very uncomfortable for the passengers if they
were behind a rake of loose-coupled waggons.

Hope that helps

Richard


--- In corris-discuss@..., "Steve Clarke"
<s.r.clarke@z...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> a few questions - can some knowledgeable soul enlighten me please?
>
> Was the brake van used on passenger trains originally?
>
> (If not were there ever any carriages with accomodation for a
guard?)
>
> Were the passenger carriages vacuum braked?
>
> How were mixed trains marshalled? (ie were passengers next to loco
or
> at the back?)
>
> Thanks!
>
> Steve Clarke
>

Thanks Richard,

sorry about "al" - I had it in my head that you were not the only
moderator. Thanks for setting up this group.

Best

Steve

--- In corris-discuss@..., "rgcorris"
<RSG_Corris@h...> wrote:
>
> No.3 does not have inside cylinders - that would imply that they
were
> between the frames, whereas the Falcon design - as with the
Tattoo -
> are outside the frames.
>
> I believe the difficulty with the Falcon design is that the
cylinders
> fit into a slot in the frames and can only be fitted or withdrawn
by
> removing the front bufferbeam, which involves extracting - and
> subsequently replacing - the rivets.
>
> Richard
>
> PS - who is this "Al" bloke ?
> ;-)
>
> --- In corris-discuss@..., "Steve Clarke"
> <s.r.clarke@z...> wrote:
> >
> > One of the arguments against the Falcon is that it has inside
> > cylinders which would make maintenance more difficult - how did
the
> > old Corris manage (or the Talyllyn for that matter)?
> >
> > I would also like to add my "thank you" to Richard et al for
setting
> > up this mailgroup.
> >
> > Steve Clarke
>

Hi Steve,

I'm not sure what you mean by 'hung up' on making a replica Corris.
I agree with your points about nos 5 & 6 and the carriage shed (how
big was the one at machynlleth?) but the passenger experience
consists of riding in corris-like rolling stock pulled by a corris-
like locomotive - surely this is part of our line's individuality
that we should maintain and expand?

I'm not sure about this but are we not able to claim educational
charitable status precisely because we are trying to create
a "Corris experience"? (Shoot me down in flames and correct me
please :-) )

I'm not familiar with the "Thames" - was this a Kerr Stuart model?
Any links to pictures would be appreciated!

All the best

Steve C


--- In corris-discuss@..., "Harris, Steve"
<steve.harris@v...> wrote:
>
> Hi Paul/Steve
>
> I would like to see either another Tattoo or a Thames variant,
reason cost!
> The Thames would make for more interesting variation and I
personally do not
> get hung up on having to make the Corris a modern replica of the
past.
> Number 5 and 6 are not in keeping with the original railway nor is
a giant
> carriage shed for that matter, time moves on.
>
> Best Regards
>
> Steve Harris MAE MIMI
>

Correct up to a point - although the corrugated iron carriage shed at
Machynlleth was a fair size. The new shed at Maespoeth has been
designed so that its southern end (where the main doors are) will
appear as similar in appearance to the original carriage shed at
Corris as we can manage.

Richard

--- In corris-discuss@..., "Harris, Steve"
<steve.harris@v...> wrote:
> ......not in keeping with the original railway nor is
> a giant carriage shed for that matter, time moves on.

No.3 does not have inside cylinders - that would imply that they were
between the frames, whereas the Falcon design - as with the Tattoo -
are outside the frames.

I believe the difficulty with the Falcon design is that the cylinders
fit into a slot in the frames and can only be fitted or withdrawn by
removing the front bufferbeam, which involves extracting - and
subsequently replacing - the rivets.

Richard

PS - who is this "Al" bloke ?
;-)

--- In corris-discuss@..., "Steve Clarke"
<s.r.clarke@z...> wrote:
>
> One of the arguments against the Falcon is that it has inside
> cylinders which would make maintenance more difficult - how did the
> old Corris manage (or the Talyllyn for that matter)?
>
> I would also like to add my "thank you" to Richard et al for setting
> up this mailgroup.
>
> Steve Clarke

Hi Paul/Steve

I would like to see either another Tattoo or a Thames variant, reason cost!
The Thames would make for more interesting variation and I personally do not
get hung up on having to make the Corris a modern replica of the past.
Number 5 and 6 are not in keeping with the original railway nor is a giant
carriage shed for that matter, time moves on.

Best Regards

Steve Harris MAE MIMI

Automotive Technical Consultant

Technical Service Centre (TSC)

Birling Road

Wymbush

Milton Keynes

MK8 8NZ

E-Mail: steve.harris@...


-----Original Message-----
From: corris-discuss@...
[mailto:corris-discuss@...] On Behalf Of Steve Clarke
Sent: 19 October 2006 10:55
To: corris-discuss@...
Subject: [corris-discuss] Re: Next Steam Locomotive for the Corris Railway

Hi Paul

my head says another Tattoo but my heart says a Falcon.

One of the arguments against the Falcon is that it has inside
cylinders which would make maintenance more difficult - how did the
old Corris manage (or the Talyllyn for that matter)?

I would also like to add my "thank you" to Richard et al for setting
up this mailgroup.

Steve Clarke

--- In corris-discuss@..., "corris_fan"
<paul.f.bailey@b...> wrote:
>
> I would be interested to hear people's views on the options for
> another steam locomotive for the Corris Railway.  The options that
> have been suggested so far are:
>
> 1. Another Kerr Stuart Tattoo, like our existing No. 7;
> 2. As 1 above, but with side tanks instead of saddle tank;
> 3. A Hughes/Falcon 0-4-2 saddle tank like No 3.
>
> The arguments for each have been circulated in the Society's
magazine.
> In summary, a tattoo is considered the most practical, but from a
> historic point of view there is a strong argument for a Falcon.
>
> Would list members prefer to see one of these options or something
> else altogether?
>






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Hi Paul

my head says another Tattoo but my heart says a Falcon.

One of the arguments against the Falcon is that it has inside
cylinders which would make maintenance more difficult - how did the
old Corris manage (or the Talyllyn for that matter)?

I would also like to add my "thank you" to Richard et al for setting
up this mailgroup.

Steve Clarke

--- In corris-discuss@..., "corris_fan"
<paul.f.bailey@b...> wrote:
>
> I would be interested to hear people's views on the options for
> another steam locomotive for the Corris Railway.  The options that
> have been suggested so far are:
>
> 1. Another Kerr Stuart Tattoo, like our existing No. 7;
> 2. As 1 above, but with side tanks instead of saddle tank;
> 3. A Hughes/Falcon 0-4-2 saddle tank like No 3.
>
> The arguments for each have been circulated in the Society's
magazine.
> In summary, a tattoo is considered the most practical, but from a
> historic point of view there is a strong argument for a Falcon.
>
> Would list members prefer to see one of these options or something
> else altogether?
>

Hi All,

a few questions - can some knowledgeable soul enlighten me please?

Was the brake van used on passenger trains originally?

(If not were there ever any carriages with accomodation for a guard?)

Were the passenger carriages vacuum braked?

How were mixed trains marshalled? (ie were passengers next to loco or
at the back?)

Thanks!

Steve Clarke

There is one small part of me that says I would like to see the re-
creation of a lost class of loco - the KS "Skylark" that ran on the
Snailbeach comes to mind - but a much greater part that says I would
like to see something that looked like Corris No.1 in Edwardian
days ! I have never been reconciled to the TR cab design carried by
No.3 for the last forty-odd years, which I think ruined the loco's
looks, and while I still harbour hopes that that particular
desecration can be reversed one day, I would like us to have our own
Falcon look-alike to complete the picture of the traditional Corris.

I am not sure exactly what Graeme Walton-Binns has in mind when he
refers to a "mongrel" in his letter on page 2101 of C-P 157 - I am
sure that modern standards would not permit us to build an exact
replica of the locos as they were in 1878, or even 1948. When we set
out to build the "Tattoo" the specification was to construct a loco
that was visually as close to No.4 as reasonably possible, but
without such cosmetic things as dummy rivet heads, and including any
appropriate improvements to the specification that the TR had
incorporated since 1951 and the builders thought beneficial. No.7
makes no claims to be an exact replica of No.4 as she was in 1948 (or
indeed 2006), but she is similar enough for all but the absolute
purists to accept as being totally in the spirit of the original
Corris. I for one would like to see a Falcon-based loco constructed
using the same design brief as we did with the Tattoo - visually as
close to No.3 in 1948 (or No.1 in 1914) as possible, but using modern
standards under the skin.

Richard


--- In corris-discuss@..., Joseph Kennion <joseph@j...>
wrote:
>
> Personally, I would like to see a new Hughes / Falcon loco. This is
mainly due to the historic arguments, but also I have always liked
the look of them much better. I think that there should be an element
of mechanical redesign, to make the maintanence easier, and perhaps
interchangability of some parts with No.7, whilst keeping the overall
look the same. Modern mechanics with the look of the original.
>
>   Just my thoughts,
>   Joseph
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>  Inbox full of spam? Get leading spam protection and 1GB storage
with All New Yahoo! Mail.
>

I would be interested to hear people's views on the options for
another steam locomotive for the Corris Railway.  The options that
have been suggested so far are:

1. Another Kerr Stuart Tattoo, like our existing No. 7;
2. As 1 above, but with side tanks instead of saddle tank;
3. A Hughes/Falcon 0-4-2 saddle tank like No 3.

The arguments for each have been circulated in the Society's magazine.
In summary, a tattoo is considered the most practical, but from a
historic point of view there is a strong argument for a Falcon.

Would list members prefer to see one of these options or something
else altogether?

This is one of three or four photos that were taken the same day at
Maespoeth - that is the brake van in the middle road. At that time it
was carrying the remains of an enamel sign saying "Corris". Some of
this photo set used to be sold by Photomatic and were included in the
Society's sales list in its very early days - although I don't think
that particular view was one of them.

Richard

--- In corris-discuss@..., "Dan Crow" <gwernol@g...>
wrote:
>
> This is an interesting photo of Maespoeth from 1940, that I've not
seen
> before:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/SHED-maes-porth-corris-railway-2-3-in-1940-
KL28_W0QQitemZ180033498309QQihZ008QQcategoryZ35975QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>
> Of particular note is a carriage in the middle road, I don't recall
seeing a
> photo of this before. I presume this is a well-known view that I'm
just
> unfamiliar with? Can anyone confirm?
>
> I'm bidding on the item, by the way.
>
> Best,
>
> Dan
>

Ade's latest update :

  Thanks to another splendid weekend the fabrication of the shed has
progressed to the stage that we now need the following items to
acheive erection of the first stage (i.e. 50% - gridlines 12 - 6
inclusive), the remaining pieces required are-

   1/ grid line A (mountain side) column 6

   2/ grid lines B (valley side) columns 7 & 6

   3/ grid line A rafters 7 & 6

   4/ grid line B rafters 7 & 6

These therefore total seven pieces, seven pieces we need to get done
by the third week in October. The four rafter pieces take about 2 -
2.5 hrs each and are probably the easiest to do as there is a jig to
follow. I am up at Corris the weekend 14/15th October and Andy
Cooper is up on the 21st. Paul Bailey is up this coming weekend,
therefore we stand a good chance.

If anyone wants to do anything to the beams above but feels their
welding may not be the best, there is lots of drilling work
(columns) and shaping (rafters) that will benefit the cause.

And lastly but most importantly painting, lots of rubbing down and
priming, just the sort of work to generate a thirst

cheers Ade

Ade has asked me to post this message here :

To date we have fabricated 57.7% of the steelwork for the carriage
shed. In order for us to meet the deadline when Dave Coleman would
like to engage the roofing contractors we still have to fabricate
the following

   1. - 7 rafters
   2. - 1 mountain side column
   3. - 2 river side columns

Andy Cooper is at Corris this weekend and any help will be
invaluable especially as we are coming to the end of the summer
season and availability of volunteers gets less. There are 9
horizontal support channels, two columns and two rafters that are
currently sitting outside waiting to be painted. We have all the
materials necessary we just need the labour. It is not hard physical
work, just a case of rubbing down with an electrical sander followed
by primer painting.

For those who fancy doing something slightly more physical Dave
Coleman and his team would be over joyed to swell the ranks of the
re-bar fitters, this involves knitting together reinforcing bars
into cages prior to concreting, again only lack of labour and a drop
of welsh weather is holding us up so come along and help.

Lets make this happen, it would be awful to miss the dates and
endanger the grant funding.


    Adrian Britchford
    Vice Chairman
    Corris Railway Society.

A good turnout of volunteers over this weekend. On the carriage
shed, work on cutting and welding the metalwork continued, and
various cages were made up from reinforcement bars in readiness for
the next delivery of concrete.

Carriage 21's lining and lettering was completed on the Saturday
(other than the garter crests) and it looked splendid on the trains
on the Sunday. Passenger loadings were steady throughout the day,
allowing the later trains to be made up of loco 7, carriage 21 and
van 204, providing some good photo opportunities with the loco at
the front of the train.

Painting inside and out on Van 220 took place.

The remaining stock of full-size sleepers at the Triangle were cut
in half and used to replace nine crumbling sleepers between the
Signal Box and the Upper Corris turnout at Maespoeth.

A two-lever frame, donated by the nice folks at Shildon, was
delivered to Maespoeth and - assisted by liberal doses of WD40 -
freed off. Unfortunately the key did not come with it so one will
need to be fabricated.

Bushwhacking at Esgairgeiliog Station cleared all the brambles from
the top end of the siding to the south and behind the station
building.

Further bushwhacking completed the cutting of vegetation between
Pont Evans and Goedwig South.

An excellent idea to set up this mailing list:  thanks all.

I'm looking forward to the discussions - its a great way for those of
us who can rarely get to Corris to stay in touch with the railway; its
a long time between Corrispondents.

Best,

Dan