Last Saturday, 24th September, the ongoing project to construct Falcon, a new 0-4-2ST steam locomotive for the Corris Railway, reached a major milestone when it was publicly steamed for the first time at the workshops of its builder, Alan Keef Ltd at Lea near Ross-on-Wye, during the company’s annual open day.

The new Falcon is a 21st-century re-creation of a design dating back to 1878. It is hoped that it will soon enter service on the revived section of the Corris Railway which currently runs between Corris and Maespoeth Junction in the Dulas Valley north of Machynlleth.

Earlier last week the locomotive was steamed for the first time inside the Keef’s workshops, and on Tuesday, 20th September 20th it passed its official steam test and was awarded its boiler certificate.

In the weeks leading up to the steaming work had progressed rapidly, completing the work on and inside the smokebox, and fitting the ashpan after the boiler had been temporarily removed from the frames for its hydraulic test.

The profile of Falcon’s cab is based on that once carried by the original Falcon locomotive on the Corris. It was completed after the boiler was tested and received its certification.

Although the locomotive has been steamed there is more work to be done before it can enter service. Outstanding jobs include fitting the buffers and couplings, fitting an air brake pump, riveting the cab, constructing the internal coal bunker, cladding the boiler, fitting the wheel splashers, and making and mounting the sanding gear.

The locomotive will then need to be disassembled so that it can be painted and then reassembled again.

To progress to this stage will require further fundraising for which the Corris will be grateful. Donations can made online via www.corris.co.uk

Other exhibits at the Alan Keef Open Day included three narrow gauge locos, Woto, Taffy, and Peter Pan, in steam and which were hauling visitors on a short train ride in newly restored carriages that once ran on the now-defunct Dalmunzie Estate Railway in Scotland. Also present was a steam roller Trotter of Coleford, whilst an exhibition traced Keef’s history over the last half-century, and visitors could view Keef’s ongoing projects including work for the Isle of Man and Talyllyn Railways.