3801 Ltd had just finished their AGM and having advised his AGM of
the current situation with 3801 Ltd and the Large Erecting Shop 3801
Ltd Chairman Prof John Glastonbury took the opportunity between their
AGM and their board Meeting to also brief the Eveleigh heritage meeting
about recent developments. Comments were also made by volenteers and
Prof Glastonbury also answered questions. Below is a breif account of
what the meeting heard.
3801 Ltd have been advised that the RailCorp Board has approved the
retention of the Large Erecting Shop (LES) at South Eveleigh for rail
heritage purposes, subject to final funding approval.
3801 Ltd has been through a rough time since loosing its signature
engine and rolling stock but it has survived has managed to maintain
the Cockatoo run and introduce the Illawarra Tree Top Flyer. 3801 Ltd
had been a sucessful; heritage rail operator for 2o years but the
operation had become marginal with the removal of their mainline engine
and key carriages.
3801 Ltd have put a proposal to the office of rail Heritage about
the company continuing to operate from the LES and discussions are
underway about the space 3801 Ltd and RailCorp each require in the LES.
The option for heritage trips through the LES remains an option 3801
Ltd would like to see but it is not currently on ORH agenda.
3801 Ltd has lost its signature engine and some of its rolling stock
last year so its viability to operate like it used to is also related
to what ORH decide about rollingstock allocations.
3801 Ltd were pleased that the barriers put up over the last 2 years
are coming down. They have a good working relationship with the Power
House and used 3830 recently for one of their trips. They have advised
the Powerhouse and the Office of Rail Heritage (ORH) that they would be
happy for the Powerhouse’s two engines to stay in the LES.
3801 Ltd has also indicated to Powerhouse volenteers that they would
be happy for them to stay at the LES and undertake volenteer work
within 3801 Ltd if they wished. Sixteen volenteers have spent 2000 hrs
on the 3265 restoration project. Volenteers have
not been told what their position is once 3265 completed.
3801 Ltd would also like to have RailCopr apprentices back in the Large
but given undercover space constrains the best place for the
demountables would be outside the LES.
There has been an inspection of the Large with a view to fixing windows and other items.
No core drilling has taken place but the location for the RWA’s proposed drilling has been marked out.
Volenteers from 3801 and the Powerhouse reported that they were getting on well and that activity was underway.
Powerhouse volenteers expressed concern that they had been unable to
meet the new Director and put their concerns about the Powerhouse
needing to quit the large when work on the current project is completed.
There was general concern that the important role of volenteers be
recognised by the operatores and the office of rail Heritage and there
not be a repeat of earlier events that saw the interest of volenteers
disregarded in the removal of rolling stock.
3801 Ltd have revamped their website and included links to
volenteer websites. They have also put out their first newsletter for
some time. It can be downloaded from www.3801limited.com.au/news.htm. Copies of the newsletter were distributed at the meeting.
Notes by Geoff Turnbull Meeting Chairperson