Re: Pendennis Castle

[Tim Arnot <timarnot@fastlink.com.au>]

Garry Hoddinett wrote:
> 
> Chris wrote in message
> > 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.
> >
> 
> Perhaps Hamersley Iron could do the right thing by both countries and swap
> Pendennis Castle for the the world's first Garrat locomotive which I believe
> ran on  Tasmania's Dundas tramway but is now in some museum in England.
> They could then 'donate' the loco to some Tasmanian museum or the new
> National Museum in Canberra.  Imagine the little thing stuffed and mounted
> beside 6029!

That Garratt is in the final stages of an overhaul and return to active
service in the UK - so I don't think that is going to be an option!

Tim
-- 
Timothy Arnot

e-mail to timarnot@fastlink.com.au