Re: Pendennis Castle

["Chris Stratton" <stratton.chris.cp@nospam.bhp.com.au>]

Donald R Smith <drsmith@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:37dc4c72$0$21659@motown.iinet.net.au...
> Can anyone enlighten me as to the situation where the Pendennis Castle has
> been impounded or locked away in a shed.
> It has been the only steamer operated by the Pilbara Rail Historical
Society
> for some time.
> "Macca" on ABC had something to say about it recently but the subject was
> not fully discussed.
>
> Don
>
> --
> Donald R Smith
> drsmith@iinet.net.au
> http://www.iinet.net.au/~drsmith/drsmith.html
>
>
Pendennis Castle has been removed from the care of the PRHS by Hamersley
Iron as HI own the loco. The PRHS is down to about three active members and
their future is uncertain. Due to the court action where Robe River sought
to gain access to HI's tracks and were knocked back, due to the ruling being
that the railway is part of the mine production process, HI are unwilling to
allow PRHS to run on their tracks as this may set a precedent  and allow
Robe River to mount a successful appeal. There is also the problem of HI's
in-cab signalling system which the preserved locos don't have. All the
stories (or rumours) that I have heard indicate that HI are going to put the
Castle up for sale and it would most likely go back to the UK.
--
Regards,
Chris Stratton
Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Remove NOSPAM if replying.