Yesterday (Wednesday 30 August), the Corris Railway in mid Wales took delivery of its new steam locomotive No. 10, the Falcon.

The loco arrived from the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd based in the village of Lea near Ross-on-Wye.

This is the second steam locomotive that has been built specifically for the Corris Railway and its efforts to revive the oldest narrow-gauge railway in Mid Wales. The first was Tattoo No. 7, which was built and delivered in 2005.

The Falcon’s arrival means that two steam locomotives will be permanently based in the Maespoeth Junction locomotive shed for the first time since 1948. It completes a project that has taken over twelve years and four hundred thousand pounds from when it was proposed to its conclusion.

The Corris Railway is situated just off the A487 between Dolgellau and Machynlleth in Powys. It is a narrow gauge (2′ 3″) railway which dates back to the 1850s. The line was initially built as a horse-and-gravity-worked tramroad to carry slate from the quarries.

The Railway has expressed its thanks to the staff at Alan Keef’s for both their standard of work and their patience in pacing the work to match the flow of funding.

Some components were bought from commercial suppliers in Bradford, the East and West Midlands and Kent. Others were created by the Corris Railway Society’s own skilled volunteers. The Railway has given its thanks “to all concerned on that front and also to the people who have made financial contributions, bought sales goods from stands at shows or bought raffle tickets. Everyone concerned can look at No. 10 and think – I helped to make that possible.”

The Falcom will make its first public appearance on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September, when it will be hauling passenger trains out of Corris station at 11.00, 12.00, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30.

The shop and museum at Corris station will be open, and tickets for the train can be booked online here.

The new loco will also be hauling trains at Corris on 16, 17, 23, 24,and 30 September, and on 7, 14 and 21 October. On the last date, the 15.30 train will be worked by a diesel locomotive.

If the Railway has to make any chances to these plans, it will notify the changes on its website.

Corris is loaning its small battery electric locomotive no.9 for an event at nearby Talyllyn Railway on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September.

Corris still has a few more bills to pay for its new acquisition, so continues to welcome donations, which can be made on its website or by cheque, payable to Corris Railway, sent to Rosie Guest, 38 Underwood Close, Callow Hill, Redditch, B97 5YS.