3801: AN OPERATING FUTURE

3801 will operate:                

The NSWRTM will operate 3801 for the benefit and enjoyment of the NSW community, providing an exciting new range of rail heritage journeys and experiences.

The NSWRTM will operate 3801, while ever operation is viable and sustainable, for the benefit and enjoyment of the community.

We certainly agree that the public should be able to see 3801 in operation and ride behind it. The NSWRTM is well aware of the popularity and significance of 3801 - that's why we saved it in the first place, and we are committed to its welfare, to its public access and to operating it.

However, the very fact that such a large number of tours have been programmed for it in recent years is a symptom of the "operate to survive" philosophy which we - and others, including the National Railway Museum (UK) and the Powerhouse Museum - believe is not sustainable.

Our vision goes well beyond that. It must also be realised that operation is dependent on the market, which will not sustain such a high level of operation in the longer term, in any case.

The NSWRTM will not guarantee a similar level of operation, because ultimately this level of operation is unsustainable. As noted above, we would aim to provide wide community exposure for the locomotive, but operate it a little less intensively than at present, because we are a conservation-based organisation.

Supported by a strong volunteer and membership base, the largely self funded, not-for-profit Museum has NSW's largest operating rail heritage fleet. NSWRTM's state-wide heritage train operations provide a living museum experience for thousands of travellers and spectators, support urban and regional community events and promote tourism within NSW.

Boiler repairs looming

After 20 years of operation it is apparent that the locomotive requires an extensive and expensive overhaul. Thus it will have to come out of traffic for that overhaul in the short to medium term.

Irrespective of whether the locomotive is with 3801 Limited, or with the NSWRTM, capital funds in excess of revenue from the locomotive's operations will need to be found to pay for this work. The NSWRTM is at least as well placed as anyone to raise the necessary funds for overhaul, and is committed to doing so and to operating the locomotive - sustainably.

There has been a lot of speculation about the condition of 3801, confirmed to some degree by 3801 Limited publicly indicating that major boiler work will soon be required. However it is not at all clear when this work will be needed, what the extent of it might be, or what the actual condition of the locomotive is. That's why we have proposed the establishment of an advisory Taskforce to review future options for 3801’s overhaul, operation and management.

The NSWRTM, as NSW's principal rail heritage custodian, and primary custodian of 3801, has the capacity and capability to provide the best options for 3801's future. The NSWRTM has a clear vision for the future of NSW's rail heritage. We will work in partnership with organisations who can assist our vision of telling the NSW rail story and consolidating sites and activities to build future sustainability, recognising the significant challenges faced by rail heritage.

3801 Update – 18 December 2006 The boiler assessment of locomotive 3801 by specialists from the Puffing Billy Railway (PBR) has now been completed. The assessment work was carried out at the East Greta premises of Hunter Valley Training Company (HVTC) using staff provided by PBR and RTM. The PBR specialists will now prepare a report on the locomotive’s boiler condition for HVTC, RailCorp and RTM – this report, together with further analysis and investigation during 2007, will inform the decisions to be taken on the nature and timing of the overhaul of the locomotive. The Minister for Transport has already announced an allocation of $500,000 to fund the major overhaul of 3801. The assessment team identified a program of work which will need to be completed by RTM at Thirlmere over Summer, prior to an expected re-launch of 3801 into service on 3 and 4 March 2007. RTM maintenance staff will inspect and prepare 3801 on Tuesday 19 December ready for the locomotive to steam to Thirlmere – the transfer move is currently being planned for Wednesday 20 December, a forecast day of reduced fire danger. Outline times for the transfer will be posted here once the arrangements are finalised. RTM will shortly announce an updated 2007 program of tours which includes locomotive 3801.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3801 Update - 12 December 2006       u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.         u 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.