A brand new £400,000 steam locomotive being constructed for Corris Railway in Mid Wales took a major step ahead when its boiler handed a hydraulic strain check final week.
The boiler, constructed by Israel Newton and Sons in 2012, was examined on the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd in Lea, close to Ross-on-Wye who’re constructing the brand new loco.
Earlier than being taken to Keef’s, the boiler had been displayed at Maespoeth Junction on Corris Railway to spice up fundraising for the brand new locomotive which is able to turn out to be quantity 10 within the fleet.
Quantity 10 is a twenty first century evocation of a trio of steam engines constructed for Corris Railway in 1878 by the Hughes Firm in Loughborough. One survives and works on Talyllyn Railway.
It’s hoped to steam the brand new loco on September 24, as a part of Alan Keef’s Annual Open Day, however extra work is required earlier than it enters Corris service in 2023. This work is estimated to value £48,000, with the railway needing to boost one other £20,000 to succeed in the goal.
Subsequent yr marks the a hundred and fortieth anniversary of the introduction of steam companies to Corris Railway. There will probably be a fundraising stand for the brand new loco at Corris Railway Society’s Mannequin Railway Exhibition which will probably be held at Y Plas, Machynlleth on August 27 and 28.
Donations for the brand new loco may be made on-line at www.corris.co.uk or cheques, payable to Corris Railway, may be despatched to Peter Visitor, 38 Underwood Shut, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS.
