Corris Railway needs to raise £36,000 to have its new locomotive Falcon number 10 in steam, but not ready for traffic, on September 24.
The date coincides with the 50th anniversary open day of Alan Keef Ltd, of Ross-on-Wye, who are building the new loco. Earlier this year, the railway was forced to pause work while its loco building fund was replenished.
The locomotive’s wheels and motion are complete an, the boiler has been placed in the frames, the cab erected and the smokebox and other components have been manufactured.
To reduce costs, Corris Railway Society volunteers with engineering skills will now make various components, including the saddle tank, fire hole door mechanism, ashpan and finish the cab, amongst other jobs.
Volunteers have already produced components for the brake gear and, during the pause in work at Keef’s, have been working on safety valve components.
Barr and Grosvenor of Wolverhampton has also produced components for the safety valve equipment. Four springs, including spares, for the safety valve assembly have been supplied at a cost of £75 and can be sponsored, along with other components, on the Falcon Locomotive section of the railway’s website www.corris.co.uk .
One-off donations towards the September steaming costs can also be made on the website or cheques payable to Corris Railway can be sent to Peter Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS.
Other components, including air pumps for braking, together with sanding gear and painting, will be required to have the engine in service on the revived section of the railway in the Dulas Valley, north of Machynlleth. An extra £40,000 to be raised for this phase.
If the targets are reached, 2023 will see two Corris Railway owned steam locomotives at work for the first time since the GWR purchased the railway in 1930. There will be a short window before Tattoo 0-4-2ST number 7 falls due for its next 10 year overhaul in 2024.
