- The
report of the Advisory Committee headed by Vince O’Rourke to review the
future management of 3801 was accepted by the NSW Transport Minister on 27
November 2006. - Locomotive
3801 arrived at Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC) East Greta on 27
November for a boiler assessment as recommended by the O’Rourke Committee.
- RailCorp
is funding the assessment work – HVTC is the head contractor; Puffing
Billy Railway (PBR) is conducting the assessment as HVTC’s sub-contractor,
using PBR’s own labour resources and labour from NSW Rail
Transport Museum
(RTM) and HVTC – the locomotive is in the care of PBR during the
assessment process. The structure of the assessment process was as
recommended by the O’Rourke Committee. - The
locomotive was stabled upon arrival at HVTC on 27 November by 3801 Limited
and RTM personnel. Any subsequent work on the locomotive (including
storage procedures) needed the approval and arrangements of HVTC as the
site owner – the locomotive was ‘dry’ stored (ready for the assessment)
appropriately and immediately, once the approvals and arrangements were in
place. - Two
3801 Limited employees were used initially for two days, paid for by RTM
as a means of keeping a collaborative continuity in the workforce with the
locomotive. The need for collaboration between 3801 Ltd and RTM is also a
key outcome of the O’Rourke Committee – RTM thanks the 3801 Ltd employees
for their assistance. It has always been RTM’s stated intention to involve
people who care for 3801. - Two
RTM employees are now on site assisting PBR with the assessment – the RTM
employees will remain on site working with the PBR team and HVTC
supervisors and apprentices. - RTM
requested HVTC provide track certification for the line into the HVTC
depot before moving 3801 to East Greta – the track was inspected and spot
repairs undertaken in the few days prior to the short notice transfer. - The
track in the HVTC shed subsequently deflected under part of the locomotive
– the locomotive rested at a slight angle, but despite rumour, has not
been damaged and there was no danger. - 3801
is now located outside the HVTC depot with round-the-clock security whilst
track repairs are undertaken in the HVTC shed – the assessment work
continues with PBR and RTM employees. Once the track repairs are complete,
3801 will again be moved inside the depot.
The HVTC depot is private property – access to 3801 is not
available to the public during the time the locomotive is at the East Greta
depot.