3801 Developments The Australian 2006

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.''

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.''