Why doesnt Dorrigo restore their steam locos to running ???

oldrailfan · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:28 pm

Anyone know why the Dorrigo Collection of steam trains isnt been restored and instead left outside to rust and crack in the weather? Thye have some highly valued and rare items that should deserved better cover etc.

They have many heritage items i have found but wouldnt it be more useful for them to let other operators use them meanwhile if they cant do anything with them???.

Sure they brought all their stock.. but if they lent them out to hire and they got restored to running order meanwhile everyone wins.. NSW enthtusiasts, heritage operators and Dorrigo when it comes back.

I guess im wrong tree barking up .. because it hasnt been done yet and most likely never will???

TheRev · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:44 pm

You're in murky water's now.

I agree with your points, but I reckon you'd be better off searching for other threads on the subject - usually every single one gets locked at some stage or another due to various people fighting over something that happened over 20 years ago. The Dorrigo collection fiasco has certainly left some scars that cannot be heeled on some people.

By all means, ask. But don't be surprised if your thread turns into a sh*tfight before long.

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bulldozed · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:48 pm

Got money?

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oldrailfan · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:49 pm

Well this is what im trying to find out myself.. can you explain maybe what these issues might be that could stop Dorrigo from going ahead with such running stock and why it has so much nasty issues?

Im amazed to see it is the LARGEST collection in Australia and yet not much is seen or heard from it or done with it??

SMR18 · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:56 pm

This SMR is on the wrong line right? I think 5069 the saturated steam D50 still operates and a rumour has spread that 6039 runs. SMR18 doesn't beleive this but if it runs I'm paranoid...

Banned

oldrailfan · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:57 pm

Why paranoid...... shouldnt you be happy?

TheRev · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:59 pm

5069 did operate some years back. I'd say the boiler ticket has now expired, it's accreditation to run has probably lapsed too.
I'd seriously doubt 6039 can steam, unless somebody has some hard proof that can be posted here.

A bus is a glorified toaster on wheels.

4426_No_2_end · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 7:23 pm

Your best bet would be to contact them and ask.

www.dsrm.org.au is the website address with relevant contact details.

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d3_639 · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:58 pm

SMR30 · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:09 pm

taggy · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:04 am

I do believe that all the locomotives have a protective covering of oil on them to prevent decay as well as the rollingstock have protection as well. They are currently trying to get the collection under a roof and they will probably not touch a thing until they do so. 5069 is probably very capable of steaming and I dont think it would take much work to get it to go, so who knows what will happen the future times.

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The Man in Blue · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:16 am

moaner · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 8:39 am

As per their w/site... their first objective is to get a undercover museum up and running & then if possible reopen the line back to ulong ,all locos are preserved in "black oil" for the moment... everyone has their opinion on what is going on now & what happened in the past, but if someone who is new to the site asks a simple ??? don't shoot them down because of which side of the fence you sit on,i have been to many "preserved/tourist " railways worldwide and they ALL strugle with the same problems....Funds(on going maintainance/running costs/etc)...lack of support...lack of personal....etc, etc,etc....at least these people are trying to preserve our historic locos/rollingstock, if not they will just end up on the scrapheap....M

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NSWRTM123 · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:36 am

The reason the DSRM don't operate their steamers is
1. As moaner said, they are trying to get the collection undercover, but first they need the whole collection there and the only economical way at this moment is to move the items one by one back to dorrigo on a truck.
2. The line has not been used since the Mole Creek Trestle burnt down in 1986.
3. The council have paved over a some level crossings on the line

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4. As a result of points 2 and 3, weeds have taken over the line to a fair extent

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bugmenot · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:12 am

The problem with all Dorrigo threads here is there is usually only ONE editor here who is a supporter of the management team up there.

Rather than discussing facts and debating reasonably with other editors, that editor makes the usual claims for inactivity at Dorrigo in a "flame" fashion. "you guys don't help" , "lack of money", "bad weather", etc etc etc.

This of course makes other editors respond in a similar fashion countering his arguements, then the Mod's here lock the thread.

Of course it's easy to refute this one Dorrigo supporter.

Here's how.

1. Lack of funds - Millions have gone into the museum by members, donations, and government support at State and Federal levels (grants, cheap stuff, and free labour) over the years.
- Wheres the money?
- Why has it been mismanaged?
- Why haven't there been efforts made to make the management team more accountable on the way they spend money?

2. Lack of volunteer support - Well, they had plenty of support in the early days, up until the late 1980's.
- Why did they all leave?
- Who made them leave?
- Have there been any attempts made to encourage them back?
- Why did these attempts fail?

The used (still?) get work for the dole people to help out.

3. Weather - Well, you can't complain about that, instead complain to your management team why the they moved there in the first place. For the price of those three loco's recently purchased and for other purchases in recent years, you could get a very large shed manufactured and erected to keep the rain of the rotting rolling stock.

In NSW, ALL rail preservation groups/societies like the ZZR and RTM are hampered by lack of funding.

The thing is, as opposed to Dorrigo, those groups DO MORE and manage effectively with limited funds, and have a management team which is TOTALLY accountable to members.