VOLUNTEERS at Corris Railway face a race against time to get the station’s museum open in time for Easter following extensive repairs.

The Corris Railway Society has been in possession of the former eailway stable block and coach house in the village for nearly half a century and today it houses a museum, shop and café which opens its doors on days when trains are operating on the revived section of the railway.

It is one of a trio of original C R buildings in the care of the volunteer workforce, the others being the locomotive shed at Maespoeth Junction and Esgairgeiliog station (which is awaiting the return of trains to its platform).

The museum building has needed considerable adaptation, renovation and maintenance since the 1970s and at the end of February this year contractors were arriving on site to carry out repairs to the roof to keep the Victorian era building weather tight well into the 21st century.

It is planned to have the shop open in time for the running of the first trains of the season on Good Friday (30 March) but opening of the museum area will depend on completion of the roof repairs in time and the replacement of the exhibits from storage.

Away from Corris and the Dulas valley progress continues on construction work for the next steam engine to work on the railway.

Two society members with engineering skills have been manufacturing the trailing pony truck in their workshops and quotations for the manufacture of its wheels and axle are being sought.

Sponsorship of the pony truck components can be made via the website www.corris.co.ukSee this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday