Rail Heritage (NSW) Inc

Representing Rail Heritage Organisations in NSW

Correspondence to: The Secretary, PO Box 152 www.rha -nsw.org.au West Pennant Hills NSW 2125 Email: secretary@rha -nsw.org.au

Newsletter – March 2013

Patron IN THIS ISSUE • The Hon Tim Fischer Review of Rail Heritage by Transport for NSW.

RHA (NSW) – Member groups • 3801 Limited Petition to Premier and Minister for Binnaway Rail Heritage and Preservation Group Inc Transport to take action on rail heritage.

Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum Ltd • RHA (NSW) Annual General Meeting held Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway Inc on 8 December 2012. Deferral of Members’ Goulburn Loco Roundhouse Preservation Society Inc Forum. Hunter Valley Training Company Pty Ltd • Heritage Council – Removal of some rail Light Railway Museum Society Ltd items from the State Heritage Register Society Co-op Ltd New England Railway Inc • RailCorp - Restructure into Trains

NSW Rail Motor & Rollingstock Preservation Assn Inc and NSW Trains from 1 July 2013. NSW Steam Preservation Co-op Society Ltd • Railway – Plans to recommence Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway Inc Operations. Pacific Coast Railway Society Inc

Regional Heritage Transport Association – Junee Inc • ATHRA Board Meeting March 2013 (incorporating Tumba Rail) • Robertson Railway Station – 80 th Richmond Vale Preservation Co-operative Society Ltd Anniversary Celebrations. Robertson Heritage Railway Station Inc CELEBRATIONS Rothbury Riot Railway and Steam Museum Group Ltd South Pacific Electric Railway Co-op Soc Ltd Steam Tram and Railway Preservation (Co-op) Soc Ltd eview of Rail Heritage by Transport, Signal and Communications Museum Inc Transport for NSW. In the last Tweed Rail Society Inc two Newsletters it was reported that Co-op Ltd R Transport for NSW was carrying out

a major review of rail heritage in NSW. This

Committee of Management began in September 2011 when the Minister Dr John Glastonbury President for Transport announced that the Director- Sam Burgess Vice President General of Transport would conduct a review Bill Pascoe Secretary/Treasurer of the future management of rail heritage Tony Healey (Lachlan Valley Railway assets. Society Co-op Ltd) Ian Saxon (South Pacific Electric Railway In December 2011, Transport for NSW advised Co-op Society Ltd) that it was undertaking a review to formulate Darcy Reid (Goulburn Crookwell Heritage an approach for the future management of the Railway Inc) State’s rail heritage assets and that it intended Ian Wallace (Robertson Heritage Railway to consult comprehensively with the broader Station Inc) rail heritage community as part of the review. In February 2012 Transport for NSW advised that it had engaged Ms Patricia Azarias, Head of Internal Audit, Premiers Department, who has extensive experience reviewing and

Page 1 auditing Government processes to Chair the heritage movement across NSW would have Inquiry. representation on the Board. In addition, two rail heritage experts, Lord To safeguard the interests of the Government, Richard Faulkner and Mr Andrew Scott from it was proposed that Government would hold the United Kingdom were engaged as members the reserve power to appoint a maximum of of the Inquiry. Both have had extensive four additional board members, if that became experience in the management of rail heritage necessary at some future time (modelling the matters and both visited Sydney in February successful and proven Puffing Billy structure). 2012 to participate in the Inquiry. Advice was received that the final report by Ms The Inquiry sought submissions from rail Azarias had been submitted to Transport for heritage organisations, met with representatives NSW. RHA (NSW) contacted the Minister for of key organisations and made a number of site Transport to suggest that the matter had visits. Representatives of RHA (NSW) met urgency, particularly in light of the cessation of with Ms Azarias on 22 March 2012 where an operations by Zig Zag Railway and difficulties outline of the makeup and nature of the rail being faced by other rail heritage groups. The heritage movement in NSW and some of the holding of the Inquiry had raised the many problems being facing were presented. expectations of the sector with the hope that Discussions were held on possible structures soon a Way Forward could be planned. for a new, independent body to be responsible RHA (NSW) has met with relevant executives for rail heritage in NSW. in Transport for NSW to try to ascertain the Details were also provided to Ms Azarias of a status of the current review but no positive similar review of rail heritage in 2004/5 which information has been obtained. had recommended the establishment of an It is hoped that there will be sufficient interest independent body to take responsibility for rail shown by Government in the future potential of heritage. However, the then Government, rail heritage in this state for the instead, approved of the establishment of a recommendations to be adopted. heritage section within RailCorp, the Office of Rail Heritage. As that body only took responsibility for RailCorp heritage assets, etition to save rail heritage in including those under custodial management arrangements with some rail heritage groups, NSW. All member groups would there was no interaction with other rail heritage P now be aware that RHA (NSW) has groups as proposed by the review. In all, it participated in raising an on-line was considered that there were many petition through the community group shortcomings in the outcomes from that Community Run to expedite action on the review. One positive action was the restoration review of rail heritage referred to above. of the old interstate booking office on Central The petition is to the Premier and the Minister Station, part of which is now occupied by the for Transport and has the theme “Save Steam, ARHA (NSW) bookshop. Save Heritage Rail”. In the current review, RHA (NSW) supported To date, over 2,200 people have signed support the concept that a new body should be for the petition. It is not too late to add your established to take responsibility for rail name to the supports list. heritage matters in NSW. A Trust or other The petition can be accessed through the independent incorporated organisation was following link: favoured, similar to the proposals in 2004/5. http://www.communityrun.org/petitions/save- RHA (NSW) proposed that the new steam-save-heritage-rail organisation would have a Board whose members were nominated by RailCorp, NSW Member groups and their supporters, families, Heritage Office, NSW Rail Transport Museum, friends and community contacts are 3801 Limited and RHA (NSW). In this way, encouraged to log onto the website and record the vast majority of the volunteers in the rail their vote.

Page 2 The wording of the petition is: However, the Ministers’ office advised that she Dear Premier & Minister, would be unable to attend on a Saturday in any of those months so, consequently, the Operational heritage rail in NSW has been in Members’ Forum had to be deferred to some continuous decline over the last 10 years and is now in a dangerously perilous state. Urgent action time in 2013 on a date suitable to the Minister is required if we are to preserve our rich rail for Transport or some Minister. heritage for future generations to experience and The stand-alone Annual General Meeting was enjoy. held on Saturday 8 December 2012 at the Since the NSW Office of Rail Heritage took over Castlereagh Club, 199 Castlereagh Street, management of the sector and the State’s precious Sydney. The club generously provided a operational heritage rail assets 6 years ago, there has been a drastic decline in heritage rail meeting room for the meeting. experience opportunities for the general The elections for Committee Members held at community, despite the efforts of thousands of the Annual General Meeting resulted in no volunteers and supporters. There are now almost change to the existing Committee make up. no operating steam engines in NSW and little progress is being made in restoring engines that The President’s report to member groups, could become operational. The restoration of much circulated prior to the meeting covered the loved iconic steam engine 3801 has been on hold following matters: for years pending the outcome of an unnecessary and costly legal dispute with no real prospect of • NSW Government review of Rail resolution; steam locomotives 3265 and 3830 are Heritage. available only for the exclusive use of Government and are rarely available to the public; and a number • Petition on rail heritage to the Premier of regionally important private rail heritage and Minister for Transport. operations are in financial difficulties, such as Zig Zag Railway and Timbertown Heritage Railway. • National Rail Safety Regulator A new strategic direction is urgently needed for rail • Activities of the Association of Tourist heritage in NSW, a need recognised by Minister Berejiklian in establishing the Azarias enquiry into and Heritage Rail, Australia (ATHRA). the management and future of the NSW Rail • Competency and Assessment of Rail Heritage sector. The Azarias Report was delivered to Transport for NSW in March 2012, but since then Heritage Operators. has been stalled by the NSW Office of Rail • New and resigned member groups. Heritage and Transport for NSW bureaucracy despite numerous requests for it to be released to The Finance Report and accompanying audited the public. annual accounts which had been circulated to The NSW rail heritage sector is now in dire straits, member groups prior to the meeting showed and is in limbo awaiting clarity regarding the future the finances of RHA (NSW) were in a sound management of the sector. Unless a viable new state. public/private co-operative management structure is put into the place now operational NSW Rail Heritage is in grave danger. eritage Council – Removal of Please release the Azarias Report as a matter of urgency and take the necessary steps to ensure rail items from the State that operating steam Rail Heritage in NSW is not Heritage Register. The lost forever. H Heritage Council of NSW placed a notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of 17 October NNUAL GENERAL 2012 advising that it was considering the MEETING AND MEMBERS’ removal of a number of Fixed Assets and Movable Relics from the State Heritage A FORUM – 2012. It has been Register and placing some further items on the customary for some years to hold a Members’ Register and that comments would be received Forum in conjunction with the RHA (NSW) until 13 November 2002 (sic). Annual General Meeting. For 2012 it had been planned to invite the Minister for Transport to RHA (NSW) wrote to the Heritage Council on be the keynote speaker at the Forum in 29 October 2012 requesting that the deadline October, November or December 2012. for comments be extended to allow consultation with the NSW rail heritage sector

Page 3 to allow the sector’s objective assessment of Woy Woy Railway Tunnel the long term heritage value of the various The contact details listed for obtaining further items by engaging the expertise of many broad information on the proposals are: based researchers, authors and presenters and Stewart Watters on (02) 9873 8561 community based supporters. [email protected] and Items listed for removal: Craig McPherson on (02) 9219 1807 FIXED ITEMS: [email protected] Bondi Junction Railway Station The address for making submissions is: Campsie Railway Station Group Clarendon Railway Station Heritage Council of NSW Guildford Railway Station Locked Bag 5020, Parramatta, NSW 2124 Kiama rail underbridge over or [email protected] Loftus Junction Signal Box 8229/Z521 Moree Railway Station Mortdale Railway Station Group and Car Sheds Mount Druitt Station Group ailCorp Restructure from 1 Rhodes Railway Station Seven Hills Flyover July 2013. In the last Newsletter Seven Hills Railway Station Group details were provided of a proposed Villawood Railway Station Group R restructuring of RailCorp into Sydney Waverton Railway Underbridge Trains and NSW Trains. MOVABLE RELICS Further details are now available showing that Bathurst Railway Station and yard group movable from 1 July 2013 RailCorp will be abolished relics – remaining relics to be listed on Bathurst and passenger train services in NSW will be Railway Station Group SHR listing provided by two new organisations, Sydney Berry Railway Station Group movable relics - remaining relics to be transferred to Berry Station Trains and NSW Trains. Railway Station Group SHR listing Branxton Railway Station Group movable relics - remaining relics to be listed on Branxton Railway From 1 July 2013 services currently operated Station Group SHR listing by CityRail in the Sydney Metropolitan Area Bulli Railway Station group movable relics - bounded by Berowra, Emu Plains, Macarthur remaining relics to be transferred to proposed Bulli Station Group SHR listing and Waterfall will be transferred to a new Dubbo Railway Station and yard group movable organisation, Sydney Trains. relics Sydney Trains will also be responsible for Eveleigh Chief Mechanical Engineer’s office movable relics – remaining relics to be transferred maintaining the lines within the same to Eveleigh Chief Mechanical Engineers office SHR boundaries and granting access over them to listing other operators. Goulburn railway group movable relics - remaining relics to be transferred to Goulburn Railway Station The Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Trains Group SHR listing will be former Chief Operating Officer of Grafton City railway refreshment room furniture London Underground, Howard Collins. Gunning railway signal box movable relics Hornsby railway Divisional Engineer’s furniture NSW Trains Orange railway administration building furniture Tamworth Railway Station and yard group movable From 1 July 2013 CityRail’s Intercity services relics - remaining relics to be transferred to as well as Countrylink services will be Tamworth Railway Station Group SHR listing transferred to a new organisation, NSW Trains. Transport House movable relics Werris Creek Railway Station movable relics - NSW Trains will also be responsible for remaining relics to be transferred to Werris Creek maintaining the Main from Railway Station Group SHR listing Berowra to Newcastle, the Main Western line Items listed for placing on the register: from Emu Plains to Bowenfels and the from Waterfall to Bomaderry and Bulli Railway Station Group Emu Plains () Underbridge granting access over those lines to other Lithgow (James Street) Underbridge operators. Lithgow Coal Stage Signal Box Lithgow Railway Station Group and Residence

Page 4 The Chief Executive Officer of NSW Trains will • 10 th anniversary of commencement of be Rob Mason, currently CEO of RailCorp. Robertson Heritage Railway Station Inc (RHRS) ig Zag Railway – Temporarily It was intended to mark the occasion by having a steam train come to Robertson from Sydney Suspends Operations - Plans on the actual date, but this was not possible due Z to recommence services. to unavailability of steam locomotives and All members would be aware that the iconic trackwork on that date, so the occasion was Zig Zag Railway at Clarence, near Lithgow postponed to 13 October to coincide with was forced to suspend operations last year due Robertson’s Waratah Spring Fair and when a to a number of shortcomings in its steam train could run from Sydney to accreditation requirements. Robertson and return. Several dignitaries were invited to join the celebrations and it was Advice has been received that the Zig Zag fortunate that four of the former Robertson Board has met a number of times and, with Public School students who rode on the advice from various safety management inaugural train on 20 August 1932, were able experts, has set up a Restart Committee to plan to attend. Following much organisation and the way forward for operations to recommence publicity, including erection of a large marquee later in 2013. near the station, all was ready for the arrival of the train and the Waratah Spring Fair. As THRA BOARD MEETING occurred on that day in 1932, a number of CANBERRA FRIDAY 29 Robertson school students were to march to the railway station to meet the train. A MARCH 2013. The next Board meeting of the Association of Tourist and The train, hauled by beautifully presented Heritage Railways Australia (ATHRA) will be heritage steam locomotives 3265 and 3642 held in Canberra on 29 March 2013. arrived early and, after witnessing the march to the station from the school by students led by RHA (NSW), one of the founding members of three mounted “light horsemen”, the large ATHRA, will be represented at the meeting by crowd assembled in the marquee to hear RHA (NSW) President, Dr John Glastonbury. speeches from RHRS President Steve Carey, One of the matters raised by RHA (NSW) at followed by the Mayor Judith Arkwright, local previous ATHRA Board meetings is that, Federal Member Stephen Jones, local State whilst ATHRA undertakes projects of benefit Member Gareth Ward and Deputy Mayor Larry to operating rail heritage groups, there was a Whipper (who chaired the initial meetings of need to undertake initiatives of benefit to the RHRS many years ago). Two excellent items smaller, non-operating member groups. RHA were presented by the local school choir and (NSW) will continue to pursue this matter. the four “1932 train-train riders” and two “young school students” cut the celebratory birthday cake. After singing the National OBERTSON HERITAGE TH Anthem, the very successful celebration RAILWAY STATION – 80 concluded its formal proceedings and the large R ANNIVERSARY: crowd dispersed to visit the fair, admire the On Saturday, 13 October 2012, Robertson waratahs in bloom and the heritage train which Heritage Railway Station Inc celebrated three remained at the station. anniversaries, as follows: • th If you require any further information on the 80 anniversary of the opening of the activities of RHA (NSW) or any items included in Unanderra- Moss Vale railway line this Newsletter, or you would like to make a • th contribution for inclusion in future Newsletters, 80 anniversary of the opening of please contact: Robertson railway station Bill Pascoe, Secretary RHA (NSW) Postal Address: PO Box 152, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125 Emails: [email protected]

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