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Newly Built Steam Locomotive to Recreate Loughborough Design of 1878

Posted on 29/03/2008
P. Klein

When the engineers and workmen of the Hughes “Falcon” Engineering Works in Loughborough were given the order to build three small narrow gauge steam engines in 1878 they would have been very surprised to learn that 130 years later a group of narrow gauge revivalists in Mid-Wales were planning to build a fourth member of the class.

The locomotives concerned were three fairly standard variations of the steam tram engines which the Falcon Works were producing for the growing number of urban tramways but this trio was destined for the Corris Railway in Mid-Wales which was converting itself to steam haulage after working its trains along the Dulas Valley by horses since its opening in 1859.  Numbered 1, 2, and 3 they were modified in the 1890’s by the addition of a set of trailing wheels to steady them on the Corris’ curves and other modifications took place as the years passed by, mainly to the cabs to give the crews more protection.

Number 1 was taken out of service in 1913 and number 2 was retired in the late 1920’s with parts from them used to keep number 3 running.  As a tribute to the original design when the Corris needed a new engine in 1921 the first thought was “another of the same” but as Hughes/Falcon was now part of the Brush Engineering Company and was no longer constructing steam engines an alternative builder had to be found.

Number 3 ran until the Corris line was closed as part of British Railways in August 1948 but in 1951 moved to the neighbouring Talyllyn Railway where it continues to give excellent service 130 years after its construction.

The Corris Railway Society has set itself the task of rebuilding part of the old Corris Railway and as part of the ongoing revival it is now planning to have a new “Falcon” built. The engine will take the number 10 as the next locomotive to run on the CR and construction costs will be in excess of £200,000, so for a small society of 400 members this will be a major challenge. However in recent years the Corris has re-opened part of the original line, had built a replica of the 1921 engine and constructed a large carriage shed so this project will be another part of the ongoing revival.

One idea that the CRS has come up with is ““Falcon” for a fiver, number 10 for a tenner”, a scheme whereby regular payments can be made by standing orders to help the cause along for small regular monthly payments.

Fuller details of the Falcon Appeal and the Corris Railway can be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to CRS, 42 Bluebell Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XQ.