From the RHRS President, Ian Wallace:
Heritage diesel-electric locomotive 4918
leads the 'Cockatoo Run' train into Robertson station on its journey from Sydney on Sunday, 15 April 2012.
Future visits to RHRS by heritage tourist trains
As most RHRS members would know, Robertson station has a recent history of receiving heritage tourist trains, notably the ‘Cockatoo Run’, on a regular basis.
As most RHRS members would know, Robertson station has a recent history of receiving heritage tourist trains, notably the ‘Cockatoo Run’, on a regular basis.
Typically, in recent years the ‘Cockatoo Run’ visited Robertson on a twice-per month basis. We have also received steam train visits on a fairly regular, but less frequent basis.
Due to recent events, it appears that this is likely to change. Heritage train operator, 3801 Limited, which operates the ‘Cockatoo Run’, was evicted from its home base in Sydney, the Large Erecting Shop (LES) at the former Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops effective 1 February 2017. The eviction was by government agency Transport for NSW.
Even though 3801 Limited’s diesel-electric locomotives and carriages are still located within the LES, the locks have been changed and 3801 Limited is effectively “locked out”.
Although there are several versions circulating of what might be happening, the official version given by Transport Heritage NSW, the heritage arm of Transport for NSW, is that the LES is to be converted to temporarily house the operating assets of several heritage train operators on a “shared usage” basis.
This, of course, is likely to include Transport Heritage NSW itself.
Rumours circulating suggest that the LES is wanted by Transport for NSW to house XPT cars and electric train sets, while others suggest that the LES could form part of a land sale to a developer - but rumours may be just rumours.
Attempts have been made by RHRS to ascertain the correct version of what is likely to happen and whether RHRS will continue to receive regular visits from heritage tourist trains, as has been occurring for at least 30 years.
To date, nothing of certainty has been revealed so we are left in a degree of uncertainty. We have been advised by 3801 Limited that they would love to continue operating the ‘Cockatoo Run’ on a regular basis but they are unable to do so.
Transport for NSW has urged 3801 Limited to vacate the LES and to relocate its operational base to another place, to which 3801 Limited responds that there is nowhere suitable and economically viable to relocate to.
So there we have it – RHRS is effectively caught as the proverbial “meat in the sandwich”.
We at RHRS will continue in our past and present role of welcoming any, and all, heritage tourist trains that visit our station – which is well-known within Transport heritage NSW.
The likelihood of future visits by heritage train operators to Robertson station is assessed as follows:
It is not a bright future so far as train visits are concerned, but we remain hopeful, and RHRS will continue with its regular events in April and October as well as with what other opportunities present. One of these about to occur is the annual ‘Fettlers Heritage Art Prize’, details of which are herein.
Ian Wallace
Hon. President, RHRS
Due to recent events, it appears that this is likely to change. Heritage train operator, 3801 Limited, which operates the ‘Cockatoo Run’, was evicted from its home base in Sydney, the Large Erecting Shop (LES) at the former Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops effective 1 February 2017. The eviction was by government agency Transport for NSW.
Even though 3801 Limited’s diesel-electric locomotives and carriages are still located within the LES, the locks have been changed and 3801 Limited is effectively “locked out”.
Although there are several versions circulating of what might be happening, the official version given by Transport Heritage NSW, the heritage arm of Transport for NSW, is that the LES is to be converted to temporarily house the operating assets of several heritage train operators on a “shared usage” basis.
This, of course, is likely to include Transport Heritage NSW itself.
Rumours circulating suggest that the LES is wanted by Transport for NSW to house XPT cars and electric train sets, while others suggest that the LES could form part of a land sale to a developer - but rumours may be just rumours.
Attempts have been made by RHRS to ascertain the correct version of what is likely to happen and whether RHRS will continue to receive regular visits from heritage tourist trains, as has been occurring for at least 30 years.
To date, nothing of certainty has been revealed so we are left in a degree of uncertainty. We have been advised by 3801 Limited that they would love to continue operating the ‘Cockatoo Run’ on a regular basis but they are unable to do so.
Transport for NSW has urged 3801 Limited to vacate the LES and to relocate its operational base to another place, to which 3801 Limited responds that there is nowhere suitable and economically viable to relocate to.
So there we have it – RHRS is effectively caught as the proverbial “meat in the sandwich”.
We at RHRS will continue in our past and present role of welcoming any, and all, heritage tourist trains that visit our station – which is well-known within Transport heritage NSW.
The likelihood of future visits by heritage train operators to Robertson station is assessed as follows:
- 3801 Limited’s ‘Cockatoo Run’- uncertain/unlikely (but we keep hoping)
- Transport for NSW steam train – steam train shuttles between Moss Vale and Robertson as the ‘Moss Vale Easter Bunny steam train’ on Saturday, 15 April 2017; possible occasional visit after that.
- LVR steam train – not likely in 2017 as both steam locomotives (3237 & 5917) are undergoing maintenance
- Rail Motor Society/ARHS – possible, depending on what tours may be scheduled; possibility of stop at Robertson station for lunch
- Another operator – not likely
It is not a bright future so far as train visits are concerned, but we remain hopeful, and RHRS will continue with its regular events in April and October as well as with what other opportunities present. One of these about to occur is the annual ‘Fettlers Heritage Art Prize’, details of which are herein.
Ian Wallace
Hon. President, RHRS