Re: [VIC] Heritage, my final word on this

[keithm@commslab.gov.au (Dave Malcolm)]

In article <3858768B.7DB2BA6F@ozemail.com.au> James Brook <ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au> writes:
>From: James Brook <ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au>
>Subject: [VIC] Heritage, my final word on this
>Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 16:20:11 +1100

>I have really had enough of these arguments over heritage, so I am going
>to quit after this post (I will sensibly discuss things further in
>e-mail if you ask a sensible question). If you are going to reply to
>this please don't flame me, because I have tried not to flame any of
>you. I would just like to clear up a few things:

>1. Some of you appear to be under the impression that I want to see
>locomotives restored fully to 1950's condition.

>    I think there is room for compromise. I think that a running
>locomotive is better than a static locomotive so I fully support any
>modifications like an extended bunker or extra sanders that allow the
>locomotive to run on a modern main line system. What I do not agree with
>is things like headboards, nameplates and non authentic colour schemes
>because these are clearly not required for modern operation. As far as
>I'm concerned, if headboards were really needed then SRHC wouldn't be
>around today.

>2. Some of you seem to think that I am personally attacking the
>volunteers at many preservation groups.

>    Again this is incorrect. I think all volunteers do an excellent job
>in maintaining and returning locomotives and rollingstock to service
>that would have otherwise been scrapped. I have not gone out of my way
>to attack any volunteer. I have criticised the general attitude of some
>"preservation" groups.

>3. People here seem to think that I am putting WCR and preservation
>groups into the same category.

>    I am not, most steam locos that are returned to service with WCR
>(apart from Y112 because it is the only operational example of the
>class) are in the same category as their diesels as far as I'm
>concerned. I see no real difference between the status of R711 and S302.
>Also I think that WCR are doing an excellent job in actually running
>mainline steam on a regular basis. Because of this, I think the
>preservation groups should take a more heritage orientated approach to
>their operations. Heritage is the one thing that Steamrail or SRHC could
>do properly but WCR can't.

>Now we all know where I stand on this and I know where most of you stand
>on this. So lets just respect each other's point of view and get back to
>discussing the hobby we all enjoy.  I would like to stop this before it
>develops into an all out flame war.

Well said James.

Dave Malcolm

>--
>- James Brook -

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