Corris Railway
The Corris Railway is a 2 ft 3 in narrow-gauge heritage railway in Mid-Wales, running from Corris village toward Maespoeth. It shares its unusual 2 ft 3 in gauge, almost unique to this corner of Wales, with the neighbouring Talyllyn Railway, with which it has historic links and a continuing close relationship.
The original Corris Railway opened in 1859 as a horse-drawn slate tramway and was one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the world. After full closure in 1948, much of the surviving locomotives and rolling stock were transferred to the Talyllyn, saving them from scrapping and providing the foundation for that railway's pioneering preservation. The Corris itself was reopened in stages from 2002 by a dedicated preservation society.
History
The Corris Railway Society was formed in 1966 to preserve the line's memory and eventually return trains to the trackbed. The first short demonstration section opened in 2002, and steady extension has continued since. The society also operates a museum at Corris station displaying artefacts of the original line. New 2 ft 3 in gauge steam locomotive No. 7, a faithful reproduction built in 2005, is one of the railway's major operating engines.
Original line history
The original line opened in 1859 as the Corris, Machynlleth & River Dovey Tramroad, a horse-drawn slate tramway running from the slate quarries above Corris down to the Dovey at Machynlleth. Steam locomotives were introduced in 1879, and a passenger service was added in 1883. Owned in later years by the GWR and BR, the line closed in 1948, its locomotives passing to the Talyllyn Railway, where they continue working today.
Stations and infrastructure
Corris station is the headquarters, with the museum, locomotive shed and workshop. Maespoeth Junction houses the original 1878 engine shed.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Steam galas (often joint with Talyllyn), evening trains, photo charters and Santa Specials are run during the operating season.
Visitor information
Corris is signposted from the A487 between Machynlleth and Dolgellau. The Centre for Alternative Technology is nearby.