At a glance
Free heritage museum in the original Corris Railway station buildings — narrow-gauge slate railway history from 1859, with trains running on selected days. 5 miles north of Machynlleth and 7 miles from the Talyllyn Railway. SY20 9SH.
About the Corris Railway Museum
The Corris Railway Museum occupies the original station building of the Corris Railway in the village of Corris, 5 miles north of Machynlleth. The railway opened in 1859 as a horse-drawn tramway, carrying slate from the quarries at Corris and Aberllefenni down to the main line at Machynlleth. Converted to steam haulage in 1879, it served a cluster of productive slate quarries in the Dulas Valley — a quieter district than Blaenau Ffestiniog or Dinorwig, but no less significant to the industry.
The railway closed to passengers in 1930 and to goods traffic in 1948 after floods damaged the river bridges. A preservation society formed in 1966 spent decades rebuilding the infrastructure before returning steam haulage to the line in 2002 — more than half a century after closure. The museum presents the full arc of that story: the original quarrying operations, the working railway, the closure, and the painstaking restoration by volunteers. Exhibits include original locomotives, slate wagons, photographs, and working models.
On operating days — typically Wednesdays and weekends from April to October — the station comes alive with departures on the preserved line to Maespoeth junction. The combination of museum and short train ride makes Corris a worthwhile stop for railway enthusiasts and families exploring the quieter corners of southern Eryri. The Talyllyn Railway is 7 miles west at Tywyn, and Cadair Idris trailheads are within 8 miles.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
The Corris Railway is a narrow-gauge railway (2 ft 3 in gauge) that originally ran from Machynlleth to the slate quarries at Aberllefenni, opening in 1859. It carried slate from the quarries of the Corris area down to the Cambrian Coast Railway at Machynlleth. The railway closed to passengers in 1930 and to freight in 1948 following flood damage to river bridges. A preservation society formed in 1966 and volunteers gradually restored part of the line from Corris to Maespoeth, returning steam-hauled passenger trains to the line in 2002.
The museum occupies the original Corris Railway station building and tells the story of the railway through photographs, artefacts, models, and surviving equipment including original wagons and locomotives. Displays cover the geology of the Corris slate industry, the daily lives of quarry and railway workers, and the history of the preservation effort. The adjacent station is the southern terminus of the preserved line, so on operating days you can also see trains in action.
Yes — the preserved Corris Railway operates steam and diesel-hauled passenger services on selected days, running from Corris station to Maespoeth. The journey takes around 20 minutes each way through the Dulas Valley. Services typically run on Wednesdays and weekends from April to October, and daily during peak school holidays. Check corris.co.uk for the current timetable. The ride is a pleasant addition to the museum visit.
The Talyllyn, Ffestiniog, and Corris railways are all narrow-gauge slate railways from mid-Wales, each with a distinct character. The Talyllyn (preserved 1951 — the world's first) runs from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn. The Ffestiniog (preserved 1954) runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog through spectacular mountain scenery. The Corris is smaller and less-known, giving it a quieter, more intimate feel — closer to how preserved railways looked in their early years.
The museum is good for children, particularly if combined with a ride on the preserved railway. The exhibits are accessible and the scale of narrow-gauge equipment — small locomotives and slate wagons — appeals to younger visitors. On operating days, the combination of museum and train ride makes a satisfying half-day. The Centre for Alternative Technology is 2 miles south of Corris and is a natural complement for families.