Re: "Pendennis Castle"

["chris@enet21.com.au" <chris@enet21.com.au>]

"now incompatible with the technologically advance HI rail system" means HI
painted themselves into a legal corner with regards to rail access (Australian
Competition Council, Robe River Mining Ltd, North Limited versus Rio
Tinto/Hamersley Iron).
It doesn't help when Didcot rail centre have high level access to the board of
Rio Tinto Plc (UK).
Face it, the decision to send it to the UK was made by the UK board. If it
wasn't for the above reasons the loco would be still in WA.
It seems other major rail groups in the UK would have gladly offered a home if
it wasn't for the shady deal done by Rio and Didcot. That's if they had a fair
chance of making a offer.
Added to the fact that little or no consultation was done with the Pilbara
Railway Historical Society which seemed to be grossly unfair, basically "stuff
you although you have looked after it since 1977" (no matter their current
membership size)
You will probably read in 6 months time that Rio Tinto plc UK have paid for the
transport costs and overhaul of this loco.

No matter your feelings with regards to this loco, the treatment of the PRHS by
Rio Tinto  Plc is disgusting.

Chris







philippa rogers wrote:

> Further information re: Pendennis Castle from Hamersley Iron's media
> release.
>
> 'The Pendennis will be shipped to England on the "Toba" via Japan, The
> United States and the Panama Canal. Hamersley iron has donated the
> locomotive to the Great Western Society, operator of the Didcot Railway
> Centre in Oxfordshire, where it will be fully restored to working order.
> HI Executive Chairman, Chris Renwick, said 'It is pleasing to know that
> Pendennis Castle will return to its original home for restoration so that it
> can once more run on the rail lines where it began its working life'.
> HI brought Pendennis Castle in 1977 and transported it to Dampier in 1978.
> During the loco's life in the Pilbara it was maintained by the Pilbara
> Railway Historical Society.
> Pendennis Castle last steamed in 1994 and is now incompatible with the
> technologically advance HI rail system.
> Great Western Society Chairman Graham Perry said 'The return of Pendennis
> Castle will warm the hearts of many who were saddened when she left for
> Australia, it will be a real homecoming.'
>
> >On behalf of Tim Draper
> > ARHS WA
> >
> >