John Stapleton
LIKE many an Australian story, the future of the beloved steam train 3801 is all about money, real estate, bureaucratic intransigence and political manoeuvering.
LIKE many an Australian story, the future of the beloved steam train 3801 is all about money, real estate, bureaucratic intransigence and political manoeuvering.
The 3801, greeted by thousands of sightseers and enthusiasts wherever it goes, is regarded as the best working example of a steam locomotive in Australia. But after being cared for by volunteers and enthusiasts for the past 20 years, its future as a working locomotive is now in doubt.
Its many supporters claim the NSW government is determined to rid itself of the train because it wants the valuable inner-city land on which it is housed. Plans are already on display for a 12-storey apartment development on the site of the 1890s heritage listed rail shed in which it is housed.
The 3801 steam locomotive, built by Clyde Engineering in western Sydney, came into service in 1943. Regarded as an engineering triumph, it remained in service until 1967. It was a rusting heap at the NSW Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere south of Sydney until 1983, when it was restored by apprentices in the Hunter Valley. In 1986 it came back to service with a specially formed volunteer heritage company called 3801 Ltd., which was given a 20 year lease. That lease ends in November.
Since 1986 the 3801 has carried more than half a million passengers. The company has more than 130 active volunteers.
Chairman of 3801 Ltd., former dean of Engineering at Sydney University John Glastonbury, said the trains operations were now at risk because the NSW government refused to renegotiate their lease.
Chairman of 3801 Ltd., former dean of Engineering at Sydney University John Glastonbury, said the trains operations were now at risk because the NSW government refused to renegotiate their lease.
“We are one of the most successful rail heritage operators in Australia, yet the NSW government is trying to break up a group of devoted volunteers for bureaucratic convenience and real estate money,” Glastonbury said. “Look at episodes of Yes Minister and it ceases to be funny. All we are asking is for the government to let us continue to do what we have done well.”
Typical of the enthusiasts grouped around the 3801, former tours operator for the Railway Historical Society Ken Butt said the loss of the train would be terrible. “It is the only one of its kind left, it is in top order and people just love it,” he said.
As those with any direct experience of the steam age die out, the company has trained up a younger generation. Fireman and maintenance expert Creagh Maywald, 30, said they had to draw on the skills of the men who originally drove the train.
“Just look at her,” he said. “It is a beautiful machine, absolutely beautiful. Railways, wool, wheat and coal, that was what Australia was built on.”
Glastonbury said the NSW government could step in and resolve the issue with a stroke of the pen. But NSW Transport Minister John Watkins has refused to intervene. Last Friday RailCorp Chief Executive Vince Graham issued a statement which horrified 3801s supporters; claiming the operating future of the locomotive would be guaranteed but refusing to clarify the ownership dispute. He said he would offer 3801 Ltd an extention of time at its current location subject to the company meeting building maintenance responsibilities and undergoing a financial audit.
Peter Berriman, President of the NSW Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere, 3801’s likely future home, expects to take possession on 27 November. He said the train was returning to its natural home. He acknowledged it was unlikely to run as often.
“We would argue that as a single product business 3801 have operated it without any real regard for conservation considerations,” Mr Berriman said. “They don’t have a conservation policy, they don’t have guidelines or protocols for operating heritage equipment. We think we can provide a more sustainable future for the locomotive.”
ORIGINAL COPY
John Stapleton
ORIGINAL COPY
Published in The Australian from memory. Uncertain of date.
John Stapleton
LIKE many an Australian story, the future of the beloved steam train
3801 is all about money, real estate, bureaucratic intransigence and
political manoeuvering.
The 3801, greeted by thousands of sightseers and enthusiasts wherever
it goes, is regarded as the best working example of a steam locomotive
in Australia. But after being cared for by volunteers and enthusiasts
for the past 20 years, its future as a working locomotive is now in
doubt.
Its many supporters claim the NSW government is determined to rid
itself of the train because it wants the valuable inner-city land on
which it is housed. Plans are already on display for a 12-storey
apartment development on the site of the 1890s heritage listed rail
shed in which it is housed.
The 3801 steam locomotive, built by Clyde Engineering in western
Sydney, came into service in 1943. Regarded as an engineering triumph,
it remained in service until 1967. It was a rusting heap at the NSW
Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere south of Sydney until 1983, when it
was restored by apprentices in the Hunter Valley. In 1986 it came back
to service with a specially formed volunteer heritage company called
3801 Ltd., which was given a 20 year lease. That lease ends in
November.
Since 1986 the 3801 has carried more than half a million passengers.
The company has more than 130 active volunteers.
Chairman of 3801 Ltd., former dean of Engineering at Sydney University
John Glastonbury, said the trains operations were now at risk because
the NSW government refused to renegotiate their lease.
“We are one of the most successful rail heritage operators in
Australia, yet the NSW government is trying to break up a group of
devoted volunteers for bureaucratic convenience and real estate
money,” Glastonbury said. “Look at episodes of Yes Minister and it
ceases to be funny. All we are asking is for the government to let us
continue to do what we have done well.”
Typical of the enthusiasts grouped around the 3801, former tours
operator for the Railway Historical Society Ken Butt said the loss of
the train would be terrible. “It is the only one of its kind left, it
is in top order and people just love it,” he said.
As those with any direct experience of the steam age die out, the
company has trained up a younger generation. Fireman and maintenance
expert Creagh Maywald, 30, said they had to draw on the skills of the
men who originally drove the train.
“Just look at her,” he said. “It is a beautiful machine, absolutely
beautiful. Railways, wool, wheat and coal, that was what Australia was
built on.”
Glastonbury said the NSW government could step in and resolve the
issue with a stroke of the pen. But NSW Transport Minister John
Watkins has refused to intervene. Last Friday RailCorp Chief Executive
Vince Graham issued a statement which horrified 3801s supporters;
claiming the operating future of the locomotive would be guaranteed
but refusing to clarify the ownership dispute. He said he would offer
3801 Ltd an extention of time at its current location subject to the
company meeting building maintenance responsibilities and undergoing a
financial audit.
Peter Berriman, President of the NSW Rail Transport Museum at
Thirlmere, 3801’s likely future home, expects to take possession on 27
November. He said the train was returning to its natural home. He
acknowledged it was unlikely to run as often.
“We would argue that as a single product business 3801 have operated
it without any real regard for conservation considerations,” Mr
Berriman said. “They don’t have a conservation policy, they don’t
have guidelines or protocols for operating heritage equipment. We
think we can provide a more sustainable future for the locomotive.”