A narrow gauge railway near Machynlleth has thanked a group of fellow steam enthusiasts after a team effort saw one of its locomotives repaired in time for Easter weekend.
 
Corris Railway's "Tattoo" steam locomotive number 7 suffered a mechanical failure last year, with organizers at the railway unsure whether they could carry out repairs themselves at their Maespoeth Junction workshops.
 
However, help was at hand when the group approached the Vale of Rheidol railway in Aberystwyth, and over the first three months of 2019 the two teams worked together to ensure the damaged loco would be ready to work the Easter Weekend services, which will be the Corris' first passenger operations of 2019.
 
The target was reached and the "Tattoo" passed its fitness to run tests with less than 24 hours to go.
 
Corris chairman Richard Foyn said, "We approached the Vale of Rheidol and fortunately their management was highly supportive. We have really appreciated the help and advice that they have given us notwithstanding their busy winter schedule which this year has been affected by the work to completely remodel their Aberystwyth Station. Llyr and his team, together with our own workers led by Trefor Davies, have done a tremendous job to make sure we have not had to disappoint our customers. This has not been a cheap project, and we will have to look to our resources, but a working steam engine, or two as we are working towards having, is a key part of what we offer to bring in fares and other revenue."
 
Number 7 will also feature with the Corris' diesel and battery electric locomotives on this year's Gala Day, Sunday, 26 May 2019.
 
Mike Sheridan.