Once
again New South Wales Railway Heritage is being endangered by vindictive
political decisions regarding the National Heritage Nominated Large Erecting
Shop and its contents – namely heritage carriages.
Under
an agreement with The Rail Transport Museum these 8 heritage carriages will In
future be
maintained and operated from Thirlmere. Approval was given by The Office of
Rail Heritage to RTM to remove these 8 Heritage carriages from a nominated
National Heritage Listing site even though The Office of Rail Heritage is well
aware that these carriages form part of the nomination and are determined to
pull apart this collection with little consideration for the outcome.
Where
will the carriages be stored? It is a well known fact that there is no
available undercover space at Thirlmere and that the States No. 1 Railway
Heritage Movable Object, Locomotive 3801 is now stored only partially covered.
The only place left for more carriages is out in the open and the site is
subject to the threat of bushfires, vandalism and weather. Maybe the Minister
Mr. John Watkins should now take a trip to Thirlmere and have a look for himself
instead of saying “he has been advised”.
We
understand The Office of Rail Heritage has stated that the carriages cannot be maintained
safely due to 3801 Limited’s forced staff reduction now that 3801 has been removed.
However The Office of Rail Heritage have been advised that arrangements have been
put in place to access the same maintenance staff members and volunteers as
previously on a agreement.
Without
suitable carriages 3801 Limited will be forced out of business and it is interesting
to note that most of the carriages requested by the Rail Transport
Museum are included in
3801 Limited’s newly released running schedule. It is also interesting to know that
under 3801 Limited’s Articles of Association if 3801 Limited was to wind up,
the Rail Transport Museum would receive half of any of 3801 Limited’s assets.
It
seems senseless to remove heritage carriages from a safe, secure and enclosed
Heritage building where they have been successfully kept for over 20 years and
leave them in an unprotected outdoor environment. Is there an ulterior motive?
Is the “Queens Car” owned by the Powerhouse Museum
and RailCorp’s “Commissioner’s Set” including the State Premier’s Car
also due for relocation? We think not.
For More
information Contact Friends of Eveleigh PO Box
381 Belrose West NSW 2085.