Re: Pendennis Castle_MUA - offshoot

[david <david@nmit.vic.edu.au>]

How do we feel feel about the Tasmanian Garrett , the K class being takend back to
theUK, restored to stactic condition, now  well on the way to being an operating
unit for use over there ?  I  feel it would be good to have it back, thus can think
the ' Castle would have the same emotions for the UK Railways.

Any ideas on the Garrett ??

James Brook wrote:

> Rod Gayford wrote:
>
> > But your arguement is illogical.  If you say return Pendenis Castle to the
> > UK because it has no relevance to Australia then surely the F7 and the S1
> > should be returned to the USA.
>
> The F7 and the S2 were used by Mt Newman and Hammersley Iron for construction
> and early operations. The Pendennis Castle was purchased for the sole purpose of
> running a tourist train, nothing else. The F7 and the S2 had a role in
> developing the railroads of the Pilbara, the Pendennis Castle didn't. This means
> the F7 and the S2 are historically relevant to Australia while the Pendennis
> Castle has more historical relevance to the UK and the development of their
> railways.
>
> > What about the ex Zephyr General Pershing
> > car thats up there too. I am sure there are plenty of of US groups that
> > would take such stock.
>
> If there is anything that was not used by the mining companies for anything
> other than tourist trains then they should be sent back to their original
> country where they will be looked after instead of rusting away in an Australian
> museum that doesn't have funds to look after them properly.
>
> > I really get the impression that a core of the group
> > who subscribe to Ausrail are anti union since you seem to get very upset at
> > union involvement.
>
> I am not anit-union. Unions have their place but sometimes they get carried away
> and demand too much or they cause trouble as a form of revenge against large
> companies. Whether the companies deserve it or not, this sort of behaviour makes
> the unions look like nothing more than a bunch of rabble just out for attention.
>
> > If the unions by a black ban can keep the Castle here
> > then all power to them.
>
> The unions should be concerned with looking after the rights of their members,
> not stirring trouble over something that doesn't affect the rights of their
> employees. Exporting the Pendennis Castle will not affect the wages, working
> conditions or anything else for members of the various Australian unions. I hope
> the MUA ignores requests like yours.
> > My position is still that I do not want to see
>
> > Didicot get the loco. I have no intention of ever travelling to the UK so my
> > only chance is to see it here.
>
> And what about the people who can't afford to travel from the UK to Australia.
> Should they miss out on seeing a piece of their history? If seeing the loco
> running was so important to you then why didn't you go to the Pilbara to see it
> a few years ago? What about the Flying Scotsman? No one complained when it was
> sent back to the UK after its tour of Australia. Once we had it out here, why
> did we give it back? According to what your arguments, the MUA should have black
> banned its return so other Australians could see something that is a part of
> British heritage.
>
> I think the best thing would be if the loco was returned to service in
> Australia. It could tour the mainland standard gauge network for a few years
> before it is sent overseas. This would give people like you the chance to see
> it. Unfortunately this will not happen, but I think returning it to the UK is
> better than leaving it here to rust.
>
> --
> - James Brook -
>
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