It is with regret I wish to inform
followers of this blog that the Dub`s 1415 project will no longer go ahead as
the Don River Railway Board of Management withdrew the successful application
of $185,206.00.from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF).
http://www.tascomfund.org/grant_recipients/general_grant_rounds/grant_round_33
http://www.tascomfund.org/grant_recipients/general_grant_rounds/grant_round_33
33Large00013
|
Van Diemen Light Railway Society
Inc (withdrawn by applicant)
|
Macquarie Harbour Breakwater
Railway Steam Locomotive Restoration Project
|
$185,206.00
|
Launceston
|
Note: The TCF application was called Macquarie Harbour Breakwater Railway Steam Locomotive Restoration Project (Dub`s 1415).
How this proposed project came about.
At the Don River Railway Board of Management Meeting on Monday 21st September 2015 as recorded in the minutes, the proposal was put forward by D.C. in Correspondence dated June 2015 regarding a succession plan to pass on skills to younger members of the DRR. The intent in this was to restore Dub`s 1415 locomotive to working order to enable steam era skills to be passed on to a younger generation and also to try and attract more younger members to improve the longevity of steam operations of the DRR.
There was no mention of cosmetic overhaul in this correspondence.
This was the Resolution as recorded in the minutes from that meeting of the Don River Railways Boards.
“It was resolved that the Board supports D.C’s. proposal that there be a succession plan for the training of younger members in the repair / maintenance of steam locomotives”.
At the Don River Railway Board of Management Meeting on Monday 21st September 2015 as recorded in the minutes, the proposal was put forward by D.C. in Correspondence dated June 2015 regarding a succession plan to pass on skills to younger members of the DRR. The intent in this was to restore Dub`s 1415 locomotive to working order to enable steam era skills to be passed on to a younger generation and also to try and attract more younger members to improve the longevity of steam operations of the DRR.
There was no mention of cosmetic overhaul in this correspondence.
This was the Resolution as recorded in the minutes from that meeting of the Don River Railways Boards.
“It was resolved that the Board supports D.C’s. proposal that there be a succession plan for the training of younger members in the repair / maintenance of steam locomotives”.
In October 2016 an anti Dubs 1415
(small locomotive) campaign was promoted by persons at the Don River Railway Workshops,
Devonport, Tasmania, they suggested that the restoration was to be Cosmetic
only. In my opinion these campaigners were asked to agitate.
This untruthful campaign was influential enough for the Board to withdraw the application from the Tasmanian Community Fund even though the Don River Railway application had been awarded the full amount requested $185,206.00. This amount included the design and manufacture of a complete new boiler and other new replacement components ensuring that the DRR would have had a cost efficient steam locomotive lasting for many years to come.
This move by the Don River Railway Board has alienated a number of members some of whom resigned their membership.
With money so hard to obtain for Heritage Railway Restoration many find this situation unbelievable.
The Committee has been requested to explain its action and a reply is awaited. We won’t hold our breath though.
This untruthful campaign was influential enough for the Board to withdraw the application from the Tasmanian Community Fund even though the Don River Railway application had been awarded the full amount requested $185,206.00. This amount included the design and manufacture of a complete new boiler and other new replacement components ensuring that the DRR would have had a cost efficient steam locomotive lasting for many years to come.
This move by the Don River Railway Board has alienated a number of members some of whom resigned their membership.
With money so hard to obtain for Heritage Railway Restoration many find this situation unbelievable.
The Committee has been requested to explain its action and a reply is awaited. We won’t hold our breath though.
I thank you for your support in
viewing this blog. If you wish to express your concern about this or the
direction of the DRR write to the Secretary at donriver@donriverrailway.com.au
I thank those people who promised sponsorship. One last thing, because this locomotive was completely dismantled for overhaul the Board may want to send this historic locomotive for scrap.
I thank those people who promised sponsorship. One last thing, because this locomotive was completely dismantled for overhaul the Board may want to send this historic locomotive for scrap.
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