3rd International Railway Heritage Conference and NSW Tour for delegates – November 2009

Open Letter to Organisations and Individuals with an Interest in NSW Railway Heritage

Regarding 3rd International Railway Heritage Conference and NSW Tour for delegates –November 2009

Draft details of the 3^rd International Rail Heritage Conference to be held in Brisbane November 2009 and a national tour of Australian railway heritage locations is now available for discussion and suggestions. The final program is currently being put in place and will be released early next year. A number of the initial details and a call for “expressions of interests” can be found by visiting the following websites:

International Organisers Statement: http://vdmt.de/download/3.wsc_australia_09-prelim.pdf

Australia’s Organisers Statement and Registration of Interest: http://www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/events/railway_heritage.asp

Great Train Show: Episode 26 <http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/09/26/2375074.htm>

Indications are that this heritage railway conference and tour has the potential of being the largest international gathering of it type to be held to-date, with both the conference and tour providing many opportunities for Australian Railway and Tramway Heritage organisations and related interest groups eg Universities, History Folklore and former employees. This event will bring an international and national focus not only on heritage issues and tourism but the future of Australian Railways services in general.

However, the draft NSW section of the “international delegate tour” appears to be a little lite at the moment. I feel that this is a refection of some of differences that have existed in Rail Heritage over several issues during the last few years that currently show some signs of mending following the recent changes in the NSW Government.

A major point in NSW draft of the proposed tour is that the delegation of visitors would only visit one NSW Railway Museum on 1day of a 3-day program allocated to the State. This is the Zig Zag.Railway Museum. (See current proposal).

Without changing this visit to the Zag Zag Railway (that is a good choice to show a world heritage railway engineering feat of the 1800’s) some thought should be given to changing the 3 day NSW program that may allow for a visit to other heritage railway locations eg Werris Creek on route to Brisbane etc. What I have in mind here is that the delegates could fly the Melbourne Sydney part of the trip.

The Zig Zag proposal raises some other possibilities for the visitors program that should be addressed including a visit to Eveleigh and possible Valley Heights. Despite the problems associated with Eveleigh’s future, at the moment it still remains an international heritage site of interest.  The Blacksmith Shop workshop with some working machinery is listed as a major feature of world wide Railway Engineering for example.

It is feasible that the Zig Zag trip be developed in such a way that a heritage steam working train be assemble by the 3801 LTD and the Powerhouse Museum and passengers taken aboard in the Eveleigh yard adjacent to the Blacksmith Workshop and near by Large Erecting Shop. Particularly after the recent operation by both groups to  “Robertson”  (See 3801 Newsletter)

This would allow delegates and those travelling on a heritage train to inspect several parts of the Eveleigh site before departing for the Zig Zag. Museum. With the assistance of the Sydney Bush Music Club heritage orchestra who have a repitore of traditional railway dance tunes it is possible to consider a “Railway Ball”

With a small amount of extra time in Sydney the program might be extended to take in other parts of the Eveleigh and Central Railway area and possible Engine No 1 at the Powerhouse Museum and a model railway activity.

The CarriageWork Theatre should not be overlooked. Not only is this a feature of the old Eveleigh Carriage workshops but it provides a good connection with NSW’s  wider Rail’s Heritage that can be found in culture  interests like music, poetry painting and photograph . Delegates coming to the conference from overseas I understand could include a small theatre group from British Railway Museums theatre company “Platform 4”. Also several other railway related theatre plays, one written in the 1800’s on the Zig Zag railway may be available during the planned visit.

I would suggest that a meeting of representatives of “all” NSW Rail Heritage organisations and associated groups be called as soon as possible to discuss the possibilities that this tour means for NSW Railway and Tramway Heritage, Although there is a clear 12 months to put a good program in place, there is only a short time to discuss the broad details of a final program with the National and International organisers. Several of the larger rail heritage groups including the Zig Zag might arrange such a meeting.

In the mean while see the information above and register your interest on the organisers web site listed above.

Brian Dunnett

Trains of Treasure Exhibition

bdunnett@ar.com.au   

96689051