3801 Limited calls for answers on its future now!

Since 1986, 3801 Limited has raised funds and successfully preserved, repaired, maintained and operated locomotive 3801. Prior to that, 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.

“After 20 years we have just 3 months to go before our lease runs out and it’s time we had real answers on the operating future for 3801 Limited. The Minister for Transport announced a number of rail heritage initiatives last Friday, but there were no answers for 3801 Limited,” he said.

“We want to know:

• Why take locomotive 3801 off the not-for-profit company 3801 Limited when we have looked after it so well for 20 years?
• Why won’t the government negotiate a new lease for the locomotive, its heritage carriages and the shed directly with 3801 Limited?
• Why did the Minister for Transport announce a $20m rail heritage package which did not include the operation of the locomotive 3801 by 3801 Limited?

“This goes back to our basic question, why change what is already working?” the Chairman said.

“Perhaps we should add another question to our list – what have we done wrong?”

Another part of the Minister’s announcement last Friday was the establishment of a taskforce to investigate ways forward in resolving the future of 3801 Limited and the locomotive 3801, but details of the terms of reference and timeline for this taskforce have not been made available to 3801 Limited. Has this announced taskforce changed anything?

“It should be noted that 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 and care of locomotive 3801. 3801 Limited welcomes the government’s recently announced commitment of half a million dollars to assist in the future management of the locomotive” Dr Glastonbury said.

“We have received extraordinary support from people from all over NSW – many of them young people who look forward to their own involvement in 3801’s future. This issue has really galvanised the community about what is fair. We need to keep the 3801 Limited wheels rolling and therefore, we need answers to our questions from the Premier now.” he concluded.

For further information call John Glastonbury on 0408 876 096 or (02) 9869 2749, Gabi Cseh on 0412 411 101 or visit website: www.3801limited.com.au. Photos & video footage also available.