The HVTC depot is private property – access to 3801 is not available to the public during the time the locomotive is at the East Greta depot.
]]>27 November 2006
The Hon Morris lemma MP
Premier
Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Premier
EVELEIGH LARGE ERECTING SHOP AND 3801 LOCOMOTIVE
I write on behalf of concerned residents and the Friends of Eveleigh group who have again contacted me about the future of the 3801 steam locomotive and the Large Erecting Shop on Locomotive Street, Eveleigh. I share their concern that the recent removal of the 3801 is to make way for the redevelopment of the Large Erecting Shop for non-rail related uses.
I support residents' view that the 3801 steam locomotive should be maintained in the former major workshop complex where steam trains were made and serviced for over a century.
Friends of Eveleigh inform me that much of the original machinery used for railway purposes has been maintained in the Large Erecting Shop, making the entire contents of the workshop important. They say that it is the only workshop of its kind that remains in its original internal and external condition and which is still in use for its original purpose. Housing and servicing the 3801 steam locomotive is critical to the heritage of the site.
In a submission to the previous Premier Bob Carr, I called for a State rail museum, which would recognise the site's importance to rail transport in opening up and connecting the State, and demonstrate the industrial processes carried out there where employees worked under tough and dangerous conditions. Such a museum would reinforce the cultural and emotional connection many New South Wales residents have with the steam era and the Eveleigh complex.
Surrendering the site to non-rail related development is a lost opportunity for Sydney and the State, and diminishes our important industrial and cultural heritage. Since plans to link Eveleigh with the Powerhouse Museum, which included running steam trains between the two institutions, was abolished, Government policy has instead focused only on redevelopment of the site.
The situation is now worsened by divided responsibilities between multiple Ministerial portfolios, and people complain that their representations have been passed back and forth between the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, the Department of Planning and RailCorp, with no one body claiming overall responsibility, let alone long term planning.
While the Large Erecting Shop is listed on the heritage schedule of the Redfern-Waterloo State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), this only recognises the building's structural value. The SEPP rezones the Large Erecting Shop for commercial use with a height of 12 storeys permissible.
The building's value as cultural and industrial heritage and its integral part of the interpretation of the remaining complex have been ignored. With the recent removal of the 3801 steam locomotive from the site, many residents believe that the Large Erecting Shop is being positioned for redevelopment for non-rail related use.
Given the removal of the 3801 Steam Locomotive and the uncertainty over the development of the Large Erecting Shop, I ask you to urgently review the future of the existing remaining Eveleigh complex and its possibility as a unique working museum and valuable Sydney visitor attraction.
Other State Governments have celebrated rail heritage. The Western Australia State Government has supported a "living museum" of rail heritage at the Midland Railway Workshop and the Queensland Government has initiated an interactive rail heritage museum at the Ipswich Workshops Rail Museum.
I believe such a museum on the Eveleigh Railway site would be popular and be an added and important Sydney attraction, especially if working steam trains were included.
Over 500,000 passengers have travelled on the 3801 heritage steam locomotive since it was restored, giving first hand working experience of NSW's important railway history and heritage.
The remaining Eveleigh buildings including the Large Erecting Shop are also historically, aesthetically and socially significant to New South Wales and Australia. The complex played an instrumental role in the development of the country's rail network, and is a rare example of 1880s industrial Georgian architecture. The simple, strong functional forms of the buildings are landmarks to generations of city rail commuters. The remaining tools and equipment demonstrate past processes of Australian heavy industry, and the hard work, skills and capacity of workers of the time.
It is critical that the remaining historic buildings and their contents on the Eveleigh site be protected from development and preserved from deterioration by age or neglect. It is critical that historic associated rolling stock including Locomotive 3801 be retained as an integral part of the historic precinct. It is important that the heritage site be planned and managed by one agency dedicated to its preservation and future.
Could you please urgently coordinate action between NSW Government agencies to ensure that this significant heritage is protected?
Could you please inform me about the Government's short term and long term plans for the 3801 Locomotive, the entire contents of the Eveleigh Large Erecting Shop, and for the Eveleigh Large Erecting Shop?
Yours sincerely
Clover Moore
Member for Bligh
Cc: Minister for Transport
Minister for Redfern Waterloo
Minister for Planning
]]>As the 3801 steams its way to Maitland tonight for assessment ahead of a $500,000 engine upgrade, heritage experts have recommended the merger of the two rival volunteer rail groups vying to operate the historic locomotive.
Mr Watkins said a panel of independent rail heritage experts believed a merger would ensure the financial viability of both groups and the continued operation of the 3801.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins today accepted the final report of a panel of experts set up to advise on future management options for the locomotive.
The taskforce comprised former Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer, Vince O’Rourke, and representatives of the Chairman of Tourism Australia, Mr Tim Fischer and the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Railway Association, Mr Bryan Nye.
“The report found that on their own, neither 3801 Ltd or the Rail Transport Museum, despite their enthusiasm and volunteer base, had the financial or business capabilities to guarantee the future upkeep and use of the 3801,” Mr Watkins said.
“The Government believes the only way forward is for the rival groups to merge their heritage efforts and work with the Powerhouse Museum and RailCorp’s Office of Rail Heritage,” he said.
“After an extensive analysis of the groups’ operations and finances going back five years, the report concludes collaboration between the rival groups is the best way to ensure their financial viability.
“Mr O’Rourke’s report makes it clear that this type of collaborative and commercial approach is needed to build long term sustainability in the rail heritage industry.
“The Iemma Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the 3801 locomotive stays in good working order so it can keep up its busy schedule of public engagements across NSW.
“The 3801 has a secure future. It belongs to the people of NSW, and the Government will do everything in its power to ensure the thousands of men, women and children who love it can continue to ride it and experience the steam age.
“But the Government has done all it can to mediate a truce between 3801 Ltd and the Rail Transport Museum. It’s now up to them – if they’re really committed to the locomotive, they’ll work together.”
Mr O’Rourke’s final report identifies a number of emerging challenges faced by the two rival groups that require attention.
These include the need for sustainable heritage strategies that not only cover Government-owned rolling stock and equipment, but that also take into account those controlled by other groups, such as the 3801.
The issues identified include:
Mr Watkins said, meanwhile, preparations were underway to get the 3801 to Maitland this week as part of the $500,000 overhaul of its boiler.
“It will be crewed by members of both organisations, which as I have said before – shows how a collaborative approach to the management of the loco can be achieved.”
The Panel’s Terms of Reference agreed at its first meeting were:
The locomotive was leased by 3801 Ltd from the RTM. This lease expired on Sunday (26 November). The Crown Solicitor has twice advised RailCorp that at the conclusion of the lease, under the previous legal agreement, the locomotive reverts to the custody of the RTM.
]]>THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN TRAIN ROBBERY
When: Monday 27th November 2006 at 1800 hours (6 pm) Where: The Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh Railway Workshop
The Large Erecting Shop and its entire contents are subject to a formal National Heritage Listing Application. This application secures the site and no item can be removed without the authority of the Federal Minister.
The above action seems to be in breach of the National Heritage Act.
The Minister for Transport has known for 6 months that an agreement between the Rail Transport Museum and 3801 Limited was required for the running lease of locomotive 3801 to be renewed. He has turned his back on helping to broker a deal for the betterment of the people of New South Wales. He seems afraid to stand up to RailCorp Executives and their inaccurate decisions - has never visited the Museum at Thirlmere and has refused numerous invitations to inspect the Large Erecting Shop at Eveleigh - just 5 minutes from Parliament House.
This is the Minister who ok'd all of RailCorp plans with his rubber stamp because in Parliament, when questioned on Rail Heritage, would utter his favoured words "I have been advised".
On Monday night, Locomotive 3801 will steam out of Sydney, destined for the
Hunter Valley Training Company at Maitland for a mechanical inspection to determine what overhauling is required.for the locomotive. Those in the know will tell you that it is in near perfect condition other than the boiler overhaul due in 12 to 18 months providing the current expert maintenance program can be maintained.
Why to Maitland?
Most of the "expert technical panel" to assess the locomotives condition come from Melbourne, Sydney or south of Sydney so why not conduct the inspection at Eveleigh - where facilities including inspection pits already exist.
Maitland is now a swinging seat for the State election. Needs propping up and the $600,000 grant to the Hunter Valley Training Company at Maitland is the ultimate pork barreling exercise.
50% of the shares of the Hunter Valley Training Company are held by the NSW Ministerial Holding Corporation.
The Hunter Valley Training Company was set up to train apprentices specifically for the power industry with Pacific Power a major partner. Milton Morris, former Labour Railway Minister is an active board member and Pacific Power's former Chairman Ross Bunyon, now Chairman of RailCorp appears on the HVTS website as a Director.
The Government is not game to send the Locomotive straight to Thirlmere because of a voter backlash.
Correspondence to:
The secretary,
Friends of Eveleigh (FOE)
PO Box
381
Belrose West NSW 2085
“The locomotive 3801 will continue to run to serve the thousands of men, women and children who love this great train.
The locomotive is currently leased by 3801 Ltd from the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum (NSW RTM) - this lease expires on Sunday 26 November.”
In response to a question on 6 November at the Budget Estimates Committee hearing, Mr Graham confirmed the status of 3801 Ltd’s lease of the locomotive.
“In 1986, 3801 Ltd, the Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere and StateRail entered into a 20 year lease of that locomotive that expires in November.
“The advice of the Crown Solicitor – twice asked for and twice given – is that at the conclusion of the lease in November 2006, under the previous legal agreement the locomotive reverts to the custody of the RTM.”
In August, as part of 100 years of Central celebrations, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Police announced a $500,000 overhaul of the locomotive to safeguard its operating future for generations to come.
“Early next week, a joint crew comprising staff of NSW RTM and 3801 Ltd will drive the locomotive to the Hunter Valley Training Company at Maitland.
“The services of the Puffing Billy Engineering Team*, led by Alan Gardner, a well known and respected rail engineer will lead an expert technical panel to assess the condition of the locomotive.”
Mr Graham said the thorough condition assessment will look at what maintenance and upgrade work will be required to ensure the locomotive can continue to operate for future generations.
“The locomotive is one of this State’s great steam icons and that’s why we are committed to ensuring it is in the best shape possible.
Mr Gardiner and the technical panel will also consider when the work needs to be undertaken.
“This assessment is about taking stock of the locomotive’s condition to ensure it can meet its operating commitments in 2007.”
Mr Graham said the independent panel of experts formed by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Police in August to consider options for collaboration between the Company 3801 Ltd and the Rail Transport Museum, had made significant progress.
Chaired by former Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer, Vince O’Rourke, this panel consists of the Chairman of Tourism Australia, Mr Tim Fischer and the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Railway Association, Mr Bryan Nye.
Mr Graham said the panel is currently preparing findings to present to the Deputy Premier and RailCorp - the culmination of three months of analysis and discussion of the heritage industry including consultation with the Boards of New South Wales Rail Transport Museum and 3801 Ltd.
“The panel will be ready to present their findings to the Deputy Premier in a matter of weeks and I am confident the findings will steer the rail heritage industry towards a sustainable future that will help ensure the vast collection of railway icons will be accessible to future generations.
“And I assure those families and children who wish to continue enjoying the locomotive 3801, and the volunteers and staff of NSW RTM and 3801 Ltd – that the locomotive 3801 will also be a part of that future,” Mr Graham said.
*Puffing Billy, known as “Australia’s Favourite Steam Train,” is an historic steam train still running regularly in Victoria. The Engineering team is world renowned for their expertise in rail heritage conservation.
The area where the Large Erecting workshop currently stands has been zoned to accommodate a 12 storey building under a recently made State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP). Simultaneously the Large is listed in the SEPP as historically significant but such buildings can be adaptively reused rather than retained.
The fear is that the departure of the 3801 is the beginning of the end for active rail heritage use at Eveleigh. This is likely to have a major impact on the ability of heritage trains to service the large local and international rail tourist market.
The continuation of active heritage rail operations at Eveleigh’s Large Erecting Workshop could increase tourism and employment while at the same time retaining knowledge, training and equipment essential to the long term success of heritage rail operations.
Geoff Turnbull REDWatch 25th November 2006.
]]>TO: All Staff and Volunteers
FROM: Arthur Tubby
DATE: 18 11 2006
SUBJECT: Future of 3801
ALL CONCERNED
On Friday 17th November the Board and General Manager of 3801 Limited met with Mr Vince O'Rourke and representatives of the Committee appointed by the Minister of Transport to determine the future of locomotive 3801 and make recommendations to the Minister re the future of Rail Heritage in NSW. Mr O'Rourke made it clear that he was charged to try and find ways how the Rail Transport Museum and 3801 Limited could work closer together.
Early in the meeting Mr O'Rourke made it quite clear that locomotive 3801 would be returned to the custody of RTM after the 26th November and this decision was not open to further discussion or negotiation. Shortly after the 26th the locomotive was to be transferred to Hunter Valley Training Company for assessment of its condition. After the assessment it is to return to Thirlmere and will be maintained and operated out of Thirlmere. Mr O'Rourke expressed the opinion that he believed an arrangement where the locomotive was "shared" by both groups could be reached if there was good will on both sides.
Mr O'Rourke then went on to outline the Committee's recommendation to the Minister re the future of Rail Heritage Operations. The Committee is to recommend the formation of a new organisation to administer all aspects of Rail Heritage. This organisation would have a representative from the RTM and 3801 Limited on the Board but would also have professionals from marketing, tourism, RailCorp etc. with the objective of raising the profile of Rail Heritage to a much higher level.
3801 Limited was invited to be involved in the planning and development of this new organisation. In the interim it was expected that both organisations would continue their current operations in a collaborative manner, hence the suggested "sharing" of the locomotive. If 3801 Limited chose not to participate in the development of the new organisation it was free to continue to "do its own thing” but would be outside the changes and plans proposed for the future of Rail Heritage.
Responding to a question Mr O'Rourke indicated that he saw that eventually both the RTM and 3801 Limited would be absorbed by the proposed new organisation. He also indicated that the same message had been given to the RTM.
Your Board indicated that it would consider the proposal put at the meeting and would respond to the Committee next week. The Board is currently seeking outside advice as to the Company's position and an appropriate response.
Arthur Tubby
General Manager
]]>1. Locomotive 3801 is owned by the NSW Government.
2. The NSW Rail Transport Museum as a previous custodian has no legal rights in this matter.
3. 3801 Ltd as the current custodian has some significant residual legal rights.
4. On behalf of the Government, it is for the Minister to make a determination regarding the future disposition of locomotive 3801.
"ln the meantime, we have a timing problem. As the existing lease comes to an end on 26 November 2006, to enable the existing operations and bookings beyond that date to be maintained pending resolution of all issues to the Government's satisfaction, we request an extension of time to enable the Advisory Group's recommendations to be considered and acted upon. We would need six months to unwind the existing operations in a methodical and responsible manner should the panel decide on such a course of action. We would be grateful. for your assistance in this matter and look forward to your early reply."
No reply has been received to date (27/10/06)
On 26th September 2006, 3801 Ltd wrote to the Premier detailing the concept of The Rail Heritage Company Ltd and requesting the extension of time as in Minister Watkins letter of 21/10/06. No reply has been received to date (27/10/06)
“FUTURE OF 3801 LIMITED
We refer to our letter of 28 September 2006 in which we drew your attention to a timing problem with regard to the continuance of the lease of locomotive 3801 to enable our operations and forward bookings to be maintained. To date, we have not received any reply to our letter.
I am afraid that I must now advise that my Board of Directors can sec no alternative than to appoint a voluntary administrator to take over the affairs of the company unless the Government is willing not only to extend the locomotive lease to enable us to continue in service but also to underwrite short-term financial support of up to $300,000 to give us time to restructure our heritage rail operations as discussed with the Minister's Advisory Group. We would need a firm commitment by 31 October. "
No reply has been received to date (27/10/06).
JRG 27/10/06
3801 Limited Suite G01 National Innovation Centre Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh 1430. Postal Address: PO Box 333 Alexandria NSW 1435 Telephone 1300 65 3801, Fax 02 9698 4553 Email: trains@3801limited.com.au Website: www.3801limited.com.au
List: National Heritage List
Class: Historic
Legal Status: Nominated place
Place ID: 105945
Place File No: 1/12/033/0016
Nominator's Summary Statement of Significance:
Of the many buildings on the greater Eveleigh Railway Workshop site this is the only remaining purpose built shed still performing its original use, demonstrating a high level of intactness. The significance of the site is recognised at a local, state and national level as well as by international heritage bodies for its building fabric and construction, machinery, skills and it's operations.
This place is the oldest and longest continuous operating railway workshops in Australia. The place is still functioning as workshops servicing steam railway locomotives, rolling stock and diesels. It is part of the greater Eveleigh Workshop site but unlike all the other buildings it still retains its rail workshop context and skills. Eveleigh's original design and placement near Sydney formed part of its economic viability allowing easy access to the main rail hub (Sydney Station) and to the rest of the state. This close access to Sydney is still vital today in the economic viability of preserving and running of heritage trains. The impact of the work carried out at the Large Erecting Shop is enjoyed locally, regionally and nationally by the operation of the only steam locomotive to haul trains to every mainland state in Australia.
The Eveleigh Railway Workshops are some of the finest historic railway engineering workshops in the world and Eveleigh contains one of the most complete late 19th century and early 20th century forge installations, collection of cranes and power systems, in particular the hydraulic system. The place is of international significance and is one of Australia's finest industrial heritage items. The value of the place is increased by the fact that it is comprised of assemblages, collections and operational systems rather than individual items still in use.
Conversely, the significance will be reduced by its closure or adaptive reuse, relocation of rolling stock, machinery and its disassociation from the operating rail network. Not only will the Large Erecting Workshop cultural significance be reduced but the significance of the greater Eveleigh Railway Workshops will be reduced.
The workshop is significant nationally for being:
In continuous operation as a rail servicing workshop 126 years still in its original format
Designed by Whitton (trained by John Fowler of the Forth over the Firth Bridge fame) and George Cowdery (trained by Isambard Kingdom Brunel) bringing cutting edge industrial revolution technology to Australia
The building and others making up the Eveleigh group are iconic in design and proportion.
The political birth place of 1 Governor General of Australia, 3 Prime Ministers and 25 parliamentarians and the inaugural Secretary of the Nurses Association.
The home of steam locomotive operations in NSW including the iconic 38 Class locomotives with carriages (presently includes 3801 and 3830)
Governor-General Lord Hopetoun's carriage built and stored on site
A centre of skills and expertise in maintenance/operation of heritage trains directly passed on from retired employees.
One of group of large industrial buildings that form an extended corridor on the main rail access into Sydney.
The place where the Great National Strike commenced in 1917.
A significant place Aboriginal people of Redfern as one of the few place that offered employment, training and employment transfers from regional NSW to the city.
Collection of original machinery including overhead cranes and machinery from all phases of its history up until 2006.
Official Values: Not Available
Description:
The Large Erecting Shop is the last of the big rail workshops in Australia still in use, presently housing 3801 Ltd the only steam locomotive that has travelled to every mainland state in Australia. The brick shed has 6 rail bays internally and one external to the south. With a fan of access tracks to the south and direct access to a turntable.
The workshop is a large classic Victorian era industrial red brick building with arched cast iron framed windows on the north and south walls of the building and large arched timber framed doors for each rail access bay. The roof is formed by two brick end gables with sandstone parapets with a large iron truss system supported on cast iron columns down the centre of the building. Four large overhead cranes run within the roof space The floor is concrete with servicing pits between each track.
The turntable is 75 foot long and is connected to the workshop
Collection: The building contains operating steam Locomotives 3801.3830, Governor-Generals Carriage from 1901 as well as many other carriages and pieces of rolling stock required to operate trains. Machinery and tools (un-catalogued) to service the fleet held at the Large Erecting Shop.
History:
While every state in Australia had large steam servicing workshops these are possibly the most important and the last still functioning from first construction in 1880's. The chronology covers both the yards and the workshop but concentrates on the Locomotive Workshop.
1871 Planning for a large modem workshops complex at Redfern began.
1875 The site at Eveleigh was selected.
1880 Settlement for land was reached - 64.5 acres resumed from the estate of the late John Chisolm for c: £100,000.
1882 Clearing of land commenced. Because of the sandy nature of the soil, much work went into the design and construction of the workshop foundations.
1884 The contract for the construction of Bays 1-4 was let to George Fishburn for a cost of £40,725 and work was commenced shortly after.
1885 Work underway and purchase of machinery commenced. The foundations for Bays 5-15 were completed, enabling the contract for the construction of these bays to be let to John Ahern at a price of £80,837.
1886 Construction of the workshops continued.
1887 Workshops 1-4 were officially opened. These contained the 'dirty trades' of foundry work, boilermaking and blacksmithing. They were originally separated from Bays 5-15 by a space equivalent in width to one of the bays. Annexes were built on the southern and western sides.
1887 (late) Workshops 5-15 were completed and opened.
1892 Union negotiations led to the workshops being closed on Saturdays.
1896 Lightening rods fitted to 120 foot high chimney for Boiler House behind Bay 2/3. An extension of 200 feet added to the western end of the Large Erecting Shed (west of the Loco Shop) completed 1896.
1899 Large Erecting Shop added to the site, to the west of the Loco Shop, enabling many of the engine repair functions to be removed from the main building. Work commenced on converting Bays 12 and 13 for an Interlocking Shop. This work began in November with the removal of the brick wall between Bays 11 and 12 and the installation of iron columns and crane girders. A compressed-air plant was installed in an annexe to Bays 3 and 4. New foundry erected adjacent to large Erecting shop allowing Boiler Shop to expand into Bay 4.
1900 Compressed air plant installed in Boiler Shop (Bays 3-4) and air mains installed.
Condition and Integrity:
The building is intact and fully operational including the large overhead cranes used by staff, and 200 volunteers.
It does need some modifications to comply with current OH&S codes, these changes will not lower its significance.
Location:
About 1ha, Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, being an area bounded by a line commencing at the western most access point to the Large Erecting Shop building, then directly to the north west corner of the Large Erecting Shop building, then easterly via the northern wall and its alignment to its intersection with a 2 metre set back from the rear wall in the east, then southerly via the 2 metre set back to its intersection with the fence located to the south of the building, then westerly via the fence line to the point of commencement. Included are all access rail roads (1 to 7) to the west of the building, contents, tracks, machinery and cranes. Also included are the turntable with associated equipment and that part of the rail line extending from the turn table to the western most access point to the Large Erecting Shop building.
Bibliography:
A Heritage Study of the Eveleigh Railway Workshops Voll. Godden, Mackay and Associates, 1986 Conservation Policy Scwager Brooks, 1994
Relics Policy Godden,1988
South Sydney Heritage Study Tropman & Tropman, 1995
Master Plan and Urban Development Plan Eveleigh Precinct Planning Study A & A, 1994
Eveleigh Precinct Social Impact Study Lester Firth & Ass., 1992
New Locomotive Workshop CMP Government Architects Office 1995
Eveleigh Carriage Workshops CMP Government Architects Office 1995
Railways Relics & Romance The Eveleigh Railway Workshops - photographs by David Moore 1995
Colonial Engineer Building of Australia's Railways - John Whitton 1819-1898 - Robert Lee
Primary sources
"History Of Eveleigh Workshops" Correspondence From Works Managers Office, Eveleigh To Assistant Chief Mechanical Engineer, Redfern, 4.04.55, Railway Archives.
"Eveleigh Locomotive Workshops" Undated, Unsigned & Incomplete Report approx 1921, held by Railway Archives.
"Visit Of Inspection - Eveleigh Workshops, 11 October 1922" By Institution Of Engineers, Sydney Division. Information Pamphlet, Railway Archives.
"The NSW Railway Workshops At Eveleigh - A State Enterprise" in the Illustrated Sydney News, Pp 11-13, 18 July 1891.
"The Australian As Engineer - Splendid Work At Eveleigh Workshops" Hyde, Hamilton In Sea, Land And Air, Pp 176-179, 1 June 1922.
"The Locomotive Shops At Eveleigh" in the NSW Railway Budget Vol 8, Pp 239-240, 21 July 1900.
"The Carriage And Wagon Shops At Eveleigh" in the NSW Railway and Tramway Magazine, Pp 37 1917.
"Coal Goes From Eveleigh" in Eveleigh News, Magazine Of The Eveleigh Workshops Central Shop Committee, No 377, 24 July 1968.
"Foundry Operations At Locomotive Workshops, Eveleigh" Report to the State Rail Authority of NSW By D Lyons, A Fisher; August 1985.
"The Railway Stores Branch And Its Work" In The NSW Railway Budget VoI 7, Pp 186-187, 18 May 1899.
Database Entry as at 17 October 2006.
Link to Database entry : The Large Erecting Shop - Eveleigh
]]>The main document from the RWA about this area is the RWA’s
Redfern-Waterloo Built Environment Plan. It can be obtained in printed form
from the RWA or it can be downloaded from the RWA website at http://www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports.htm#bep.
The full report is 13 MB so it is very large to download. It is possible to
only down load sections of the report and the section that deals with Eveleigh
Railyards is Section 4.1 – 4.3 Land Use and Design concepts (pdf
~2.1mb). If you download only this section also have a look at 3.6 Items of heritage and buildings of historical interest
(pdf ~640kb) and 3.3 Heights for RWA’s strategic sites (pdf ~1.2mb). This
shows up the two area’s The Large Erecting Workshop and the Southern side of
the paint Shop where there is conflict between what is planned and the heritage
list. Note also that the heritage list has nothing on Redfern Railway Station
other than the ticket office. Most notably absent is the toilet on platform 1
that was used as the reason why the RWA needed the power to override the
heritage act.
The gazetted planning instrument to implement the RWA Plan
and its associated maps (3MB PDF) can be found on the Depart of Planning
website at http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plansforaction/keydevelopment.asp#redfern
Most of the material to do with Eveleigh Railyards on the
REDWatch website can be found in the State Significant sites section (press
“rwa bep” tab on top of home page) http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/.
A one page (22 Kb PDF) summary by REDWatch of the RWA Built
Environment Plan can be found at http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/ssbackground/060915redwatch/download/
and a web readable version of the RWA Built Environment Plan is at http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/ssbackground/rwabeptxt/
A number of other important documents are on the REDWatch
Website:
The 3801 submission to the RWA including the 3801
commissioned Adequacy report on the Large:
http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/southeveleigh/large/3801/
The Minister for transports
Media Release on Rail Heritage
Webpage: http://www.redwatch.org.au/media/060804watkins
Download PDF: http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statesignificant/southeveleigh/large/3801/060804watkins/download/
A Letter being sent by Minister Sartor in Reply to
presentations on 3801 and the Large
http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statements/2006/060913sartor
Comments from a Letter from John
Watkins the Minister of Transport
http://www.redwatch.org.au/RWA/statements/2006/060913watkins/
A Statement from 6th October 2006 from several former Eveleigh Workshop
employees with a long held interest in preserving NSW Railway HeritageConcern for the Railway Heritage of Eveleigh Workshops
Comments from the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum on Rail Heritage 3801 and Eveleigh
The REDWatch website also carries many media reports. One article in the Sydney Morning Herald covered the adaptation of the CarriageWorks into a new performing arts centre Edgy venue forged from gritty past.
The
search box at the top of the site is quite powerful at finding material
connected to a particular issue – for example for articles mentioning 3801 http://www.redwatch.org.au/search?SearchableText=3801
Railcorp - http://www.railcorp.info/heritage/heritage_strategy
(Note also Railcorp Fact sheet on
Sustainable Rail Heritage Management Strategy at http://www.nswrtm.org/news/SRHMS_factsheet.pdf
)
Australian Heritage database Nominated place - The Large Erecting Shop - Eveleigh
[this database link takes a long time to load you can also search http://www.deh.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl ]
National Trust - http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/news/redfern.asp
National trust Inspection of the Large http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/news/eveleigh.asp
3801 Ltd - http://www.3801limited.com.au/helpus.htm
NSW Rail Transport
Museum - http://www.nswrtm.org & http://www.nswrtm.org/3801/
[Prepared by Geoff Turnbull, REDWatch 28th September 2006]
]]>
After seeing a number of recent public statements, official
documents and private replies from State Government Ministers on the subject of
the future of Eveleigh heritage items and NSW Railway Heritage in general. We
are concerned that a number of discrepancies exist in these documents that need
clarifying.
These discrepancies suggest to us that all interested
parties in NSW Railway Heritage should come together to compare notes on what
has been said independently to the various groups involved with NSW Rail
heritage and the future of rail heritage in the Eveleigh area.
Our aim is to unearth all existing plans and end the piece
meal approach to this important issue. When this is done we feel that a joint
meeting with the Minister for Transport John Watkins, the Minister for The
Redfern Waterloo Project the new office of Rail Heritage and the Minister for
Arts should be held to clarify the concerns of many people like us.
The Redfern – Waterloo Built Environment Plan (Stage 1) August 2006
We have been interested in a table from this document being
circulated by the Minister for the Redfern Waterloo Project The Hon Frank
Sartor MP headed: “Heritage Items within the Redfern Railway Precinct
(categorised in the Heritage Schedule)” This table list 12 major heritage
structures on the site that are or will be affect. It should be noted that
several of these heritage locations currently contain a range railway heritage
items of importance. They are not restricted to Locomotive 3801 but include
Powerhouse Museum Locomotives 3830, 3265, private loco’s, cranes and State
Railway Carriages. See Redfern – Waterloo Authority web site details in
Appendix.
Large Erecting Shed Assessment of Adequacy Report
Plans to move 3801 are clearly about knocking down the
heritage listed “ Large Erecting Workshop”,
that is downgraded to the status of a shed in the table mentioned above.
See the 3801 assessment of this valuable facility for NSW Heritage that is
supported by the National Trust. See Large
Erecting Shed Assessment of Adequacy. Republished by REDWatch
12 Isolated Heritage Locations
The piece meal approach to the Eveleigh Workshops site over the last 20 years now leaves these 12 heritage locations isolated and unrelated to one another, without a single exhibition that explains the overall historical role of this area in the State’s history. Our criticism includes the Australian Technology Park that should have featured some reference to Australia’s use of steam technology as a background to modern developments. This venture appears to beheading towards a “ Business Park’ as several universities have now lost interest and multi store buildings are planned. So how long will the remaining two bays of the old Railway Blacksmith Shop last?
Some good work to retain connect with Eveleigh’s past is
occurring in the Performance Art Spaces now being built in the Old Carriage
works see “Edgy venue forged from gritty past” (SMH, 2-10-06, P12).
Unfortunately this work has proceeded with no direct connection with former
Eveleigh Railway worker or the Unions who were directly involved in the
community arts activities on the site for over 100 years.
(3) News Release – 20 Million Plan To Conserve NSW Rail Heritage As Collaboration Urged Over 3801
This news realise provides some details of the establishment
of an “Office of Rail Heritage” who are to be responsible for a 5 year plan of
“ Sustainable Rail Heritage” for NSW (as a whole) and the establishment of a
independent panel on how “ 3901 should be best managed. ”The power of this new
office and its responsibilities are important factors in the future of the
Eveleigh site but a hunt through documents fails to make their responsibility
clear.
The Redfern Waterloo
Authority Act requires that all surplus Government lands, “after an assessment
of future needs” must be transferred to Redfern Waterloo Authority for urban
renewal purposes. RailCorp we understand has a responsibility to retain
Eveleigh land that is required for the future operation of the metropolitan
railway system but the establishment of an
“Office of Rail Heritage” to be located in RailCorp raises the question
will this “Office” assess the value of Rail Heritage on this site and report
before it is handed over as surplus land to, a body who plan to remove many
details of the sites earlier history?
Express Your Interest
in a Meeting
A meeting of all interested parties is needed to gather the
facts in these various proposals. This information would assist all NSW Railway
Heritage Groups, to understand what the lost of any of these sites like the “
Large Erecting Shop” would mean to the future of NSW Rail Heritage as a
whole.
We don’t want to see the establish of another “ Railway Heritage” body so we would urge all existing organizations, including the new “ Office of Rail Heritage” and the Unions to consider co-operating with each other and calling a public meeting we will be happy to join in.. However as concerned people we feel bound to collect expressions of interest from others that feel a meeting is necessary to get the ball rolling. Please contact us with the following information:
Name of Interested
Organisation/ individual (Contact details) .....................................................................................
Possible Meeting Place Please indicate
Coffee Shop New Loco ( ) Union Office RTBU Redfern ( ) Railway Historical Society Redfern ( ) Other suggestions ………………………
Time During the day 10am ( ) 2pm ( ) 6pm ( ) Other Time..
This statement was prepared by:
Richard Butcher Author of The Great Eveleigh Railway
Workshops - A Personal Reminiscence. 98744385
Bob Rymes Eveleigh Locomotive Workshop Committee
(1950) 93719884
John Lee Eveleigh
Locomotive Workshop Committee (1950) 95289763
Brian Dunnett
Co-Ordinator Trains of Treasure Exhibition 96689051
See appendix for details of where you can get some of the documents referred to above is provided below.
]]>Dear
The Premier has asked that I respond to your letter to him. Thank you for raising your concerns regarding the 3801 and the Large Erecting Shed at South Eveleigh. I apologise for the delay in responding.
In respect of the locomotive itself, on 4 August the Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, the Hon John Watkins announced a $20 million plan over five years to increase protection of the State's rich rail heritage that sets a new standard for industrial conservation in NSW.
The plan will be delivered by a new Office of Rail Heritage that will oversee the conservation and display of rail heritage assets and ensure that groups of volunteers are recognised, valued and supported.
The first $500,000 will be spent to overhaul the 3801 locomotive at the Hunter Valley Training Company at Maitland. The Government will provide this funding to keep the 3801 locomotive in first-class operating condition so that it can continue to provide a steam experience for the people of NSW.
In addition, a panel of independent experts has also been formed to determine how the 3801 should be best managed in future. I am advised that both 3801 Pty Ltd and the Rail Transport Museum at Thirlmere have been urged to work with the panel in securing a collaborative approach to the future operation of the 3801 locomotive.
As you may be aware, 3801 Pty Ltd occupies part of the Large Erecting Shed at South Eveleigh under a licence agreement with StateRail. I am advised that these premises require urgent repairs, and that to complete these repairs 3801 Limited will need to vacate the site. No timeframe has yet been set for this, but ultimate ownership of the premises will eventually be transferred to the Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA).
I note that you have raised concerns about the preservation of buildings of heritage significance within the Redfern railway precinct. Let me assure you that, since its inception, the RWA have been assiduous in protecting heritage buildings. In fact, there are currently 12 buildings listed on the heritage Schedule contained in the Redfern Waterloo State Policy, see attached schedule. This involves the preservation of some 6.7 hectares of buildings.
This represents an unprecedented preservation of railway heritage, even on a world scale.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Yours sincerely
Frank Sartor MP
Heritage items within the Redfern Railway Precinct (categorised in the Heritage Schedule)
Building or Structure Area (ha)
Locomotive Workshop - ATP 2.65
New Locomotive Workshop – ATP 0.36
Works Managers Office - ATP 0.18
Chief Mechanical Engineers Building - Nth Eveleigh 0.08
Large Erecting Shed - South Eveleigh 0.54
Blacksmiths Workshops - Nth Eveleigh 0.23
Scientific Services Building - Nth Eveleigh 0.046
Portion of Fan of Tracks - Nth Eveleigh 0.2
Telecommunications Equipment Centre - Nth Eveleigh 0.03
Paint Shop - Nth Eveleigh 0.6
Carriage Workshop- Nth Eveleigh 1.7
Redfern Railway Station Ticket and Booking Office 0.08
SUB TOTAL 6.70
]]>