Editing Corris Railway (section)

==== {{anchor|Early days|1966 to 1980}}Early days: 1966 to 1980 ====
[[File:Corris No 7 - 2006-10-28.jpg|thumb|The Corris Railway's own steam locomotive, No. 7, at Corris on 28 October 2006]]

In the early 1960s a group of volunteers from the Talyllyn Railway, led by Alan Meaden, began visiting Corris. They wanted to establish a museum for the line and formed '''The Corris Society''' in December 1966. Another group, the '''Corris Railway Preservation Society''', was set up in the West Midlands around the same time. The two groups merged, forming the '''Corris Railway Society''' in 1968<ref name=lazarus>{{cite news |first=Cliff |last=Thomas |title=LAZARUS LINES: Rebirth Of The Corris Railway |work=The Railway Magazine |url=https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/2855/lazarus-lines-rebirth-of-the-corris-railway/ |date=8 August 2017}}</ref> with the aim of preserving what was left of the railway, opening a dedicated museum, and to explore reviving some or all of the line. Many of the founding members of the Society were volunteers on the Talyllyn.

Other than at Aberllefenni and Braichgoch quarries, no rails remained in situ along the Corris route. Initially the Society sought to purchase Machynlleth station for its museum,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Corris Society hopes to buy building|date=May 1968 |magazine=[[The Railway Magazine]] |page=306}}</ref> but when this proved impossible it turned its sights elsewhere. The main buildings of Corris station were demolished in 1968 leaving only the adjacent railway stable block standing, and these buildings – badly in need of maintenance – were acquired, along with a short section of trackbed leading southwards. In 1970 the first part of the building was opened as the '''Corris Railway Museum'''. A short length of "demonstration" track was laid in 1971.

During the 1970s, the Society undertook lengthy negotiations with the relevant authorities to establish the requirements for re-opening the line for passengers, while steadily building up funds and equipment In 1974, planning permission was received to re-open the line from Maespoeth Junction to Corris station.<ref name=lazarus/> A new '''Corris Railway Company''', reviving the original name, was incorporated to act as the Society's trading and operating arm, while the Society achieved charitable status. The Museum was extended as more of the building was returned to satisfactory condition.