This year’s open day at the workshops of Alan Keef Ltd, based in Lea near Ross-on-Wye, will take place on Saturday, September 24 and will mark the 50th Anniversary of the railway engineering company.

Three narrow gauge locos, Woto, Taffy, and Peter Pan will be in steam and it will be possible to enjoy a short train ride in the newly restored carriages which once ran on the now defunct Dalmunzie Estate Railway in Scotland. Also present will be a steam roller Trotter of Coleford. An exhibition will trace Keef’s history over the last half century and there will be refreshments available plus trade stands. Other ongoing projects include work for the Isle of Man and Talyllyn Railways.

For many enthusiast visitors a major highlight of the day will be the first public steaming of Corris Railway number 10, a 21st Century evocation of an 1878 design, which has been constructed at Keef’s and is planned to take up work heading passenger trains on the Mid Wales narrow gauge railway in 2023. The construction and assembly of the engine has progressed as fund raising has allowed since 2009 and will eventually cost in the region of four hundred thousand pounds. Members of the Corris Railway Society will be on hand to meet visitors.

The ppen day hours will take place 11am to 4.3pm and admission will cost £7.50 for adults and £3 for children. Proceeds from the day will go to the local church.