Re: Siege Mentality? (was Re: RTM 19th Century Treasures)

["Trevor Edmonds" <trevor_edmonds@dingoblue.net.au>]

James Brook wrote...

> How do you expect anyone to take the DSR&M seriously when you haven't
> restored anything and you are now collecting army tanks?

It was purchsed now because they are getting harder to obatin, especially
complete in working order. You can take the plural out of your comment. We
wanted a single item only.

> What's next, cattle for your livestock wagons!?!?!?

We already have cattle grazing on our land. Keeps the grass down (and we get
paid as well).

> While acquiring loads for your wagons is a reasonable idea,

It has been an ongiong policy. We have cars for the car transporter,
containers for container wagons, an ancient grader and a steam roller, as
well as smaller items like beer kegs.

> a tank is a large item that would take a fair bit to maintain, even
cosmetically.

They are pretty robust items. The Army have their historical collection in
the open under tarps, and they seem to be OK.

> There are smaller, cheaper and easier to maintain loads that can be
acquired.

We have already been doing that, but thank you for the suggestion.

> This is a classic example of the DSR&M's collecting obsession

All volunteer preservation is an obsession.

> that many railfans have an objection to.

Tough! We do not set their policies, and they do not set ours. That is up to
our membership (who have entusiastically supported the tank). If you want to
change DSRM, the way to do it is from the inside. Join up and you will get a
vote.

> In the future, if you're established then you could possibly hire an
> army vehicle from a military preservation group for special events.

You have no idea of how much it costs to move these things. Its somthing we
would only want to do once. One of the big positives about the tank we
bought is that it is in NSW, so we can move it with our float. If the tank
was in Victoria, we would probably have to pay to get it moved. The cost
could be areound $15000 one way.

> Dorrigo seems to have this mentality of trying to do everything.

At least we are giving it a go!

> If Dorrigo actually stopped collecting and started restoring, they may get
> somewhere.

I thought we had agreed to disagree on this issue. Our policies are
supported by our membership, as is the case with most preservation groups.
We beleive we are making good progress.

There seems little point in replaying the thread that has just ended where
these issues were canvassed at some length.

Trevor