And following a vote among the CRS membership the design will closely follow the original Corris Railway numbers one to three in their 0-4-2 tank engine form.

The engines were originally delivered with a 0-4-0 wheel arrangement, but this proved to make for a bouncy ride on the sharp curves of Corris and they were fairly soon converted to 0-4-2's by the addition of a small set of trailing wheels under the cabs.

Unusually for narrow gauge engines that hauled passenger services they never carried names but for the next 40 years Corris numbers one, two and thee gave excellent service as the CR became one of the most enterprising and successful small railways in Britain.

However, by the First World War age was beginning to tell and number one was set aside before the outbreak of war and number two started operating irregularly in the 1920s before finally being set aside with parts from the pair going to keep number three in action.

Number three is still working for a living at the age of 130 in a tribute to the quality of the original design.

In 2005 engine number seven joined the ongoing Corris story at a cost of £100,000. A further £150,000 was also spent on a new carriage shed to keep them under cover.

The latest engine will carry the number 10, simply because it will be the tenth locomotive to work on the Corris since 1878. The timescale for construction will depend on funding and for a small society such as CRS this will involve a big effort.

One-off donations, small or large, will be gratefully received, as will be the steady cash flow represented by standing order payments.

Anyone subscribing £500 to the appeal the following benefits are on offer: A ticket for a journey on the first day of operation of the new locomotive, three years membership of the Corris Railway Society, a framed picture of the locomotive and your name on a commemorative donors' board.

For anyone subscribing £1,000 to the Appeal the following will be offered: A ticket for a journey on the first day of operation of the new locomotive, five years membership of the Corris Railway Society, a framed picture of the locomotive and your name on a commemorative donors board.

For anyone subscribing £2,500 to the appeal the following will be offered: A ticket for a journey on the first day of operation of the new locomotive, life membership of the Corris Railway Society, a Falcon polo or sweat shirt, a framed picture of the locomotive and your name on the commemorative donors board.

Information leaflets for the appeal can be obtained by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to John Simms, CRS, 42 Bluebell Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XQ.