Re: 3801 and 3830 Double Headers

["Rob McKiernan" <blobigus@optus.net.au>]

I have read with interest a readers letter in the January ARHS Digest with a
proposition to restore 3813 to running order. Now as I understand it, bits
and peices are lying at Dorrigo, Thirlmere and the Power House so I guess it
would take a long time just to sought out the ownership etc of the loco (who
does own it as I thought all locos in the RTM collection were originally on
loan from the NSWGR). Anyway to my point....English preserved railways seem
to be able to restore loco's from scrapyard condition back to running order
by issuing shares etc in the locomotive (and a lot of hard work of course).
They offer incentives like free fan trips, cab rides, certificates etc to
generate the large sums of money required for restoration. Could this idea
apply to Australian loco's????. The ownership of the loco would rest with
their present owners but at least all those who have contributed to the
restoration would get something tangible for their efforts. I think the RTM
especially could benefit from this and perhaps this would allow people to
contribute to a loco that they would like to see running again not what is
determined by a museum as being a cost effective loco to restore.(5711 for
example)

Cheers,
Rob