Whistle Blows on Rail History

RailCorp plans to sell the site for development as part of wider plans to redevelop the Redfern-Waterloo area under the direction of the Redfern-Waterloo Authority.

FOE spokeswoman associate professor Lucy Taksa, director of the Industrial Relatlons Research Centre at the University of NSW, said the site was significant as the birth place of significant union and rail history in Sydney's past.

"The site is the oldest continuously operated workshop in Australia and was home to very significant industrial heritage items," she said.

"Its vital we preserve this fascinating site for the future before it's too late to do so."

RailCorp has already begun moving heritage items from the site to a new location in the Hunter

Valley, but FOE said they should be retained at the Large Erecting Shop.

Redfern and Waterloo community group REDWatch spokesman Geoff Turnbull said that the site was perfect for use as a rail heritage museum and that it could cost RailCorp up to $10 million to move some of the remaining rail engines and equipment.

"The site could be maintained as a tourist attraction and heritage site, but the State Government just want's to fob it off," he said.

A spokesperson for RailCorp said the department had no interest in retaining the site as a working rail facility and museum for heritage preservation.

What do you think should happen to the Large Erecting shop and it's contents? Contact us at editor@centralmag.com.au

Source: Central of 27^th February 2008