Since 1986, 3801 Limited has raised funds and successfully
preserved, repaired, maintained and operated locomotive 3801. Prior to that,
the NSW Rail Transport
Museum and the SRA
(RailCorp’s predecessor) had failed to prevent the deterioration of this iconic
part of NSW’s rail history.
“After 20 years we have just 3 months to go before our lease
runs out and it’s time we had real answers on the operating future for 3801
Limited. The Minister for Transport announced a number of rail heritage
initiatives last Friday, but there were no answers for 3801 Limited,” he said.
“We want to know:
- Why
take locomotive 3801 off the not-for-profit company 3801 Limited when we
have looked after it so well for 20 years? - Why
won’t the government negotiate a new lease for the locomotive, its
heritage carriages and the shed directly with 3801 Limited? - Why
did the Minister for Transport announce a $20m rail heritage package which
did not include the operation of the locomotive 3801 by 3801 Limited?
“This goes back to our basic question, why change what is
already working?” the Chairman said.
“Perhaps we should add another question to our list – what
have we done wrong?”
Another part of the Minister’s announcement last Friday was
the establishment of a taskforce to investigate ways forward in resolving the
future of 3801 Limited and the locomotive 3801, but details of the terms of
reference and timeline for this taskforce have not been made available to 3801
Limited. Has this announced taskforce changed anything?
“It should be noted that it is part of 3801 Limited’s normal
business planning practice to undertake ongoing reviews of the asset condition
of 3801, develop asset management plans and undertake forward estimates for the
sustainable maintenance and care of locomotive 3801. 3801 Limited welcomes the
government’s recently announced commitment of half a million dollars to assist
in the future management of the locomotive” Dr Glastonbury said.
“We have received extraordinary support from people from all
over NSW – many of them young people who look forward to their own involvement
in 3801’s future. This issue has really galvanised the community about what is
fair. We need to keep the 3801 Limited wheels rolling and therefore, we need
answers to our questions from the Premier now.” he concluded.
For further information call John Glastonbury on 0408 876
096 or (02) 9869 2749, Gabi Cseh on 0412 411 101 or visit website:
www.3801limited.com.au. Photos & video footage also available.