>The Locomotive Page is now complete, with information for all
>operators locomotives now online, along with model and serial numbers.
>The URL is:
>http://www.railpage.org.au/loco
>
Viewers of this Page are advised that the NSW entries (at least)
contain numerous errors of fact and should not be relied on. The NSW
listing requires major revision before it could be regarded as
accurate.
For example, I mention the following in relation to the 44 class ...
4401 NOT with RTM as listed. This unit is still with Freight
Corp, having been restored to operational condition and retained at
Delec as an "historic unit" as distinct to those retained by State
Rail under S.170 of the Heritage Act.
4403 NOT with RTM as listed. This unit remains in the ownership
of SRA Heritage and is on loan to the Regional Heritage Transport
Association - Junee Inc., trading as Junee Roundhous Museum.
4406, along with 4424, 4442 & 4445 are NOT in private ownership at
Junee as shown but are former FreightRail (not Freight Corp) units
stowed at Junee in a stripped and/or dismantled condition. They will
shortly be offered for disposal to Museum groups, but are really only
suited for static display or spare parts use.
4438 NOT with Rothbury Riot Railway and Steam Museum as shown but
was exchanged after purchase at auction in December 1994 for 4458
which is in better mechanical and body condition. 4438 has since
been cut up for scrap. The majority, if not all, locomotives at
Rothbury are in fact owned by the Hunter Valley Railway Trust,
Branxton. Some, wbhilst being "preserved" may be repainted to other
colour schemes and used in commercial operations.
4468, along with 4471, 4473 (not listed) and 4483 (not listed),
together with 4501, 4502, 4526 (not listed) and 3532 (incorrectly
shown as 4532), have been retained by SRA Heritage, not as heritage
units, but in a "bank" for possible future museum and/or tourist
railway operations.
4490 This locomotive is actually the SRA Heritage unit, placed on
load for care and heritage operation to the NSW Rail Transport Museum
at Thirlmere.
There are also other inconsistancies in the listing of "preserved" NSW
units. Listed are the four 421 class with the Northern Rivers
Railroad, which will be a commercial operation based out of Casino.
If these units are included, so should the 442 & 48 class sold to
Transcorp for STC (which have since seen service with NR) and the
units which ended up with Austrac at Junee, some of which are working
at BHP Port Kembla.
Peter Neve
Heritage Officer
Rolling Stock & Train Operations
State Rail Authority of NSW