SLA Submision on NE Early Works
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3801 Limited Calls on Government to renew Lease to Allow its ongoing Operations
“If the Government is serious about rail heritage then it is time the Minister negotiated with the company which has proven the long term sustainability of Locomotive 3801 over the past 20 years,“ Chairman of the 3801 Board, John Glastonbury said. “We are informed that the Minister will shortly announce a $15m rail heritage package which does not include the operation of the 3801 by 3801 Limited. This just does not make sense.”
Dr Glastonbury explained, “The Board met with the RailCorp CEO last week. He offered an 18 month extension at our current premises with no guarantee of continued access to the 3801 engine or any ongoing rights to the building. These conditions would not be acceptable to any business, let alone a not for profit company which has run its business successfully for the people of NSW for 20 years.
“In addition, the Government has demanded that we participate in a combined review of assets with the Rail Transport Museum. The RTM and 3801 Limited perform different functions for the community – one is a museum, the other an operating company,” Dr Glastonbury said.
“For the last 10 years, the Government’s railway authority has failed to nominate anyone to our board and left the management of our affairs to the board of community representatives. And yet, without any prior warning, RailCorp informed 3801 Limited at a meeting last week that it is not confident that the company is sustainable in the long term,” Dr Glastonbury continued.
Since 1986, 3801 Limited has raised funds and successfully preserved, repaired, maintained and operated locomotive 3801. Until then the NSW Rail Transport Museum and the SRA (RailCorp’s predecessor) had failed to prevent the deterioration of this iconic part of NSW’s rail history.
It is part of 3801 Limited’s normal business planning practice to undertake ongoing reviews of the asset condition of 3801, develop asset management plans and undertake forward estimates for the sustainable maintenance of the locomotive 3801.
3801 Limited has received legal advice that locomotive 3801 is owned by the Government and that it is the responsibility of the Minister to determine the future disposition of locomotive 3801.
