D50 Class Steam Loco Index
Including file "intro.xml"
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5069
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5112
Ian Larcher <metalastic@ozemail.com.au> writes (on 20 Oct 1999):
G'day John, I've just finished looking through your web
site, and in particular at the photos of 5112. Just thought that
I'd drop you a note to let you know the current state of play with
this Locomotive.
As you would no doubt be aware, 5112's restoration stalled
some years ago with the engine approximately 80% finished, and has
remained in limbo ever since. Earlier on this year a group of
former CWRPS members negotiated with Bathurst City Council to
recommence the restoration, which was agreed to, however Bathurst
Council has since done a complete back flip and demanded the
engine's return.
As well as presenting those members with a claim for costs
incurred in removing the engine back to the State Mine Museum at
Lithgow for restoration to be supposedly completed by them. (Not
bad as those persons never had anything to do with the fiasco, and
were trying to keep faith with Bathurst Council.) I don't really
want to comment on this as I have links with both groups- suffice
to say that in my own personal opinion, based on over twenty years
active restoration on several projects including being heavily
involved with both 5112, and 5367's successful restoration &
operation, it is doomed to further failure.
Anyway the state of play is this Bathurst Council is planing
to (somehow) remove the engine by rail on Tuesday 26
October. Apparently Silverton will be hauling the engine from
Orange East Fork down to Orange Station for craning onto a low
Loader for transport to Lithgow. The carriages at this stage will
not be going to Valley Heights as stated on your web site, but in
the interim will stay at Orange (even if the engine goes) and
continue to be restored for joint use between the Central West
Railway & the Lachlan Valley Railway, both groups are working
closely together & will be running some joint trips in the
future.
Hope you may find this of interest
Best Wishes
Ian Larcher
Thanks for the update, Ian. We await with interest further developments.
Greg Standen writes (6 Sep 2010):
Hi from Bathurst! I am a former employee of NSWGR, I had 18 years
on the job. I was made redundant. I spent a few years as secretary
of the local members' Transport Committee. I am also a member of
the Lachlan Regional Transport Committee which is made up of
local government, progress association, nsw farmers, as well as those
interested in rail [and] RTBU members. Just an update please:
log in to the Western Advocate (today's edition) which will give
you an update on the Chifley engine. The Chifley loco currently is
located away from the station in a restored condition.
Here is the Western Advocate article
PLANS to return the Chifley Engine to its spiritual home at
the Bathurst Railway Station are picking up steam. Bathurst
Regional Council has awarded the tender for the construction
of the shed that will house the historic locomotive.
Local company Webber Concrete Construction will build the
display shed on land adjacent to the Railway Station.
Deputy mayor Ian North says he is very happy the engine will
very soon be back where it belonged. "I'm rapped it is coming
back, without a doubt," Cr North said. "It has taken a long
time but thankfully the last council decided enough is
enough. We finally got an agreement to get it [the engine]
fixed and get it done. It will cost a few more dollars to put
it in the heritage precinct. Chifley was a unique gentleman to
the Bathurst community. It has come out a bit dearer than we
would have liked but I am pleased with the result and happy we
are carrying it to fruition." Cr North said he had initially
hoped the engine would be on display in the shed by Christmas
but realistically, it looks more like early next year. "We
have to build a nice heritage structure and a lot of
infrastructure work is involved," he said.
Bathurst Regional Council general manager David Sherley said
the construction of the Chifley Engine Shed would cost
$186,445, including GST.
Thanks for that heads-up, Greg!
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5241
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5273
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5274
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