Open
Letter to Organisations and Individuals with an Interest in NSW Railway
Heritage
Regarding 3rd International Railway Heritage Conference
and NSW Tour for delegates –November 2009
Draft details of the 3rd International Rail
Heritage Conference to be held in Brisbane
November 2009 and a national tour of Australian railway heritage locations is
now available for discussion and suggestions. The final program is currently
being put in place and will be released early next year. A number of the
initial details and a call for “expressions of interests” can be found by
visiting the following websites:
International Organisers Statement: http://vdmt.de/download/3.wsc_australia_09-prelim.pdf
Australia’s
Organisers Statement and Registration of Interest: http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/events/railway_heritage.asp
Great Train Show: Episode 26 <http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/09/26/2375074.htm>
Indications are that this heritage railway conference and
tour has the potential of being the largest international gathering of it type
to be held to-date, with both the conference and tour providing many
opportunities for Australian Railway and Tramway Heritage organisations and
related interest groups eg Universities, History Folklore and former employees.
This event will bring an international and national focus not only on heritage
issues and tourism but the future of Australian Railways services in general.
However, the draft NSW section of the “international
delegate tour” appears to be a little lite at the moment. I feel that this is a
refection of some of differences that have existed in Rail Heritage over
several issues during the last few years that currently show some signs of
mending following the recent changes in the NSW Government.
A major point in NSW draft of the proposed tour is that the
delegation of visitors would only visit one NSW Railway
Museum on 1day of a 3-day
program allocated to the State. This is the Zig Zag.Railway
Museum. (See current
proposal).
Without changing this visit to the Zag Zag Railway (that is
a good choice to show a world heritage railway engineering feat of the 1800’s)
some thought should be given to changing the 3 day NSW program that may allow
for a visit to other heritage railway locations eg Werris Creek on route to
Brisbane etc. What I have in mind here is that the delegates could fly the
Melbourne Sydney part of the trip.
The Zig Zag proposal raises some other possibilities for the
visitors program that should be addressed including a visit to Eveleigh and possible
Valley Heights. Despite the problems associated
with Eveleigh’s future, at the moment it still remains an international
heritage site of interest. The
Blacksmith Shop workshop with some working machinery is listed as a major feature
of world wide Railway Engineering for example.
It is feasible that the Zig Zag trip be developed in such a
way that a heritage steam working train be assemble by the 3801 LTD and the
Powerhouse Museum and passengers taken aboard in the Eveleigh yard adjacent to
the Blacksmith Workshop and near by Large Erecting Shop. Particularly after the
recent operation by both groups to
“Robertson” (See 3801 Newsletter)
This would allow delegates and those travelling on a
heritage train to inspect several parts of the Eveleigh site before departing
for the Zig Zag. Museum. With the assistance of the Sydney Bush Music Club
heritage orchestra who have a repitore of traditional railway dance tunes it is
possible to consider a “Railway Ball”
With a small amount of extra time in Sydney
the program might be extended to take in other parts of the Eveleigh and
Central Railway area and possible Engine No 1 at the Powerhouse Museum
and a model railway activity.
The CarriageWork Theatre should not be overlooked. Not only
is this a feature of the old Eveleigh Carriage workshops but it provides a good
connection with NSW’s wider Rail’s
Heritage that can be found in culture
interests like music, poetry painting and photograph . Delegates coming
to the conference from overseas I understand could include a small theatre
group from British Railway Museums theatre company “Platform 4”. Also several
other railway related theatre plays, one written in the 1800’s on the Zig Zag
railway may be available during the planned visit.
I would suggest that a meeting of representatives of “all”
NSW Rail Heritage organisations and associated groups be called as soon as
possible to discuss the possibilities that this tour means for NSW Railway and
Tramway Heritage, Although there is a clear 12 months to put a good program in
place, there is only a short time to discuss the broad details of a final
program with the National and International organisers. Several of the larger
rail heritage groups including the Zig Zag might arrange such a meeting.
In the mean while see the information above and register
your interest on the organisers web site listed above.
Brian Dunnett
Trains of Treasure Exhibition
bdunnett@ar.com.au
96689051