ASSOCIATION OF TOURIST RAILWAYS

ASSOCIATION OF TOURIST RAILWAYS

29 and 30 MAY 2004

Seminar

Presentation of Heritage Issues by Mr M. Ryan of the Department of Infrastructure

INTRODUCTION

Since 2003 with the handover of railway rolling stock and trams to Victrack, there has been a conscious increase in activities concerning vehicles and infrastructure following the windup of the PTC. DOI and Victrack have been working at improving liaison with heritage groups for a more certain future.

Peak groups have been encouraged to get closer to government with DOI running heritage forums and the formalisation of joint arrangements such as the “Friends of Hawthorn Tram Depot” where the care of the heritage tram fleet and the development of the tram museum will involve groups and individuals having a direct say in the future of the museum. Another example is the Committee of Management being established at Newport Railway Workshops to be involved in considerations on the future of the site. Mainline heritage groups are also taking an active role in determining the long-term future for mainline heritage operations.

Government has been concerned in recent times to ensure that rolling stock, buildings, plans and drawings, records and memorabilia are not left to deteriorate or get lost in the transfers in ownership or responsibility to new groups and these will be mentioned in the following.

1. RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY HERITAGE FORUMS

Railway and tramway forums are held at DOI each 2 months

Ø Exchange of information and ideas

Ø Reps from DOI, Safety, railway and tramway companies

Ø Source of spares, surplus stock …..

TRAMWAY

meeting for near 2 years
disposal of surplus material based on proven value to COTMA members at Preston and Newport.
Proposed disposal of W Class trams -

Ø W Class trams are in storage at the Preston Tramway Workshops and the former Newport Railway Workshops.

Ø The heritage fleet of 25 vehicles to be referred to Heritage Victoria for determination for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register ensuring their long-term preservation.

Ø A spare parts inventory will be established for these trams following an engineering assessment of the trams.

Ø Yarra Trams and the Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia (COTMA) have established their future tram/spare parts requirements.

Ø In total, this will mean 25-heritage fleet, 50 W Class trams operating on the Melbourne tram system, and 50 trams operating in museums in the longer term, with sufficient spares to keep them operational for many years.

Ø The remaining obsolete fleet will be offered for sale through a process that will give the opportunity for Victorian, national and international interests to obtain tram(s). It is appreciated that the disposal of W Class trams will be a sensitive matter and will ensure that the positive benefits for the long term preservation of heritage trams is appreciated by interest groups.

RAILWAY

DOI has begun to meet representatives of ATR and the Safety Division in addition to the ATR meetings
Victrack meeting with Railworks on Newport facilities and rolling stock

2. MAINLINE HERITAGE INTO THE FUTURE

· Until late 2003, Steamrail and R707 have relied on West Coast Railway to be the accredited operator of their excursions while Seymour has used V/Line Passenger. West Coast and V/Line decided to withdraw from mainline heritage operations.

· Currently Steamrail Victoria, Seymour Rail Heritage Centre, and R707 Operations, the “Mainline Heritage Groups”, hold rail safety accreditation to maintain and provide rolling stock, but they do not have operator accreditation.

DOI Contractor to determine way forward.

· an informal workshop was undertaken to discuss and explore options for a single entity structure.

The purpose of the exercise was to discuss how the mainline private heritage groups could be best structured/organised to provide for the long term operation of heritage trains on the Victorian Network
Government has interest as a significant number of heritage rolling stock is still owned by the Victorian Government (Victrack) and has provided “free” access to the Victorian Network via Access Agreements up to 30,000 kms per annum in country and 5,000 in the metropolitan areas.

The outcome of the workshop was extremely positive; there was a genuine acceptance of the need to change to ensure a long-term future.

· What next – a discussion paper for government to consider.

The Heritage Groups rely heavily on their volunteer workforce, capital grants from government and steady income from running viable excursions for both railway enthusiasts and the general public.

· From the Mainline Heritage Groups perspective, there are a number of issues that will impact on their long-term future. Some of the main issues being:

Ø Rail Safety Accreditation both as a Rolling Stock Provider and Maintainer and as an Operator

Ø insurance premiums (PI)

Ø maintaining a fleet of old equipment

Ø maintaining a committed volunteer workforce

Ø The ability to market and operate tours to a variety of destinations – fast rail …

Ø control on costs to ensure income stream will cover costs and overheads

Ø ongoing availability, training, and accreditation of key skills. For steam operations. Eg drivers, firemen, boiler inspectors etc.

Ø ability of the mainline groups standing alone as a corporate entity without an extended transition period and expert management assistance.

Ø Ability to deliver appropriate business governance

Ø The probable significant ongoing support that would be needed in any long term option.

3. MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT OWNED HERITAGE ROLLING STOCK – A VICTRACK INITIATIVE

RAILWAYS

Heritage groups who have the custody of government owned railway rolling stock will be assisted by Victrack to ensure adequate protocols are in place to manage and protect these State’s assets

Ø register of Victrack owned rolling stock assets has been established and custodial arrangements are to be acknowledged and formalised. To include a current condition report on each vehicle and a planned schedule of maintenance and upgrade plans

Ø each custodial body will be asked to present a documented maintenance and management procedure and/or protocol for each piece of equipment. Where assets are static only, a strategy for preservation will be required. This will apply only to those assets owned by Victrack.

Ø a register of heritage / tourist organisations detailing each groups accreditation requirements and status and nature of operation

Ø Victrack plans to prepare an inspection regime and schedule to verify that maintenance and management procedures are in place and are effective

Ø Each custodial group must clearly delineate the current and proposed usage of each piece of equipment.

Ø Victrack will review insurance requirements

Interface Coordination Plans (ICP’s) – are to be developed and adhered to wherever rolling stock is to operate on any part of Victrack infrastructure that:

Ø has an interface to a main line

Ø has an interface to another siding

Ø is not exclusive to one group

· Victrack will conduct regular reviews of work practices and OH&S issues where work is being undertaken on Victrack property

· Heritage groups are custodians not only of rolling stock, but also of significant railway infrastructure. Occupying groups must maintain assets in a fit for purpose condition.

· Public must not encroach into operational areas unless accompanied by a competent group member. Safety vests and standard safety precautions as set out in Policy VRT 140 Process Control

All activity on Victrack property shall be in accordance with Vic Track’s Environment Management Policy.

TRAMWAYS

Victrack has established a “Friends of Hawthorn Tram Depot” group to oversee the management of the Hawthorn Tram Depot facility.

Ø The management committee with representatives from Victrack, COTMA and tram museum groups will manage the care and maintenance of both the facility and the rolling stock in accordance with a Charter and a set of functional protocols covering safety, public access and museum display.

Ø The operation of the trams is managed for Victrack by Yarra Trams via a Deed of Management. The deed covers all aspects of operations for rail safety compliance.

4. VICTRACK HERITAGE COMMITTEE

The Victorian Rail Track Corporation (Victrack) has implemented a restoration program for buildings in its ownership that are included on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Victrack considers it has an obligation to maintain its significant historic buildings and structures to a standard that reflects Government’s commitment to its historic railway and tramway assets in metropolitan and country regions. It is important that properties are well presented in line with community expectations.
It intended to satisfy this obligation by introducing a restoration program administered by an Advisory Panel. The panel meets on a three-monthly basis and provide minutes and reports to the Victrack Chief Executive Officer and Board.
A prioritised works program has been established on a 3 year annual budget basis funded by Victrack and other available funding sources.

There are 130 railway and tramway locations listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Ø Condition Report - determine the scope of works and indicative costs necessary to restore the exterior and interior of the asset to a high level of structural integrity and appearance.

Ø Photographic Record – undertaken as a record of the registered places to inform the current building and environmental condition of the sites.

Ø Victoria’s Railway Heritage database - a railway heritage database has been established.

Ø A criteria list has been applied and rated to each location to determine a priority for maintenance works, including historical significance in the local context, building and surrounding conditions, scale of works, cost, community interest, lease arrangements, lease opportunities, transport operational use

5. CHANGES TO THE HERITAGE ACT

· Heritage (Further Amendment) Bill has recently been passed by the Victorian Parliament and has received Royal Assent. The amendments would enable registration of objects for inclusion in the Heritage Register.

· The Heritage Act currently allows the government to register an object that adds to the significance of a registered place (Town Halls – Council desk, furniture, Printing Works – presses, Preston Tram Workshop – overhead cranes, travelling cranes). The new Bill will allow for registration of movable objects that are not associated with a particular place.

· The amendment is intended to enable government to officially recognise special objects that are important to all Victorians. These include Phar Lap, Ned Kelly’s armour, the Eureka Flag, Puffing Billy and the Heritage Tram Fleet.

· DOI, Victrack (the owners of the government heritage trams) and Heritage Victoria have commenced discussions on the preparation of documentation for the listing of trams on the heritage register.

· The listing will include agreed permit exemptions that will clearly specify what works can be undertaken on the trams without the need for a permit. This will allow the trams to be maintained and operated into the future with heritage protection of examples of each of the classes of W Class tram together with earlier trams that have operated in the past in Melbourne. The inclusion of historically important trams in the Victorian Heritage Register would guarantee their future preservation.

6. 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS

“Making Tracks” touring exhibition of the history of the railways by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. The exhibition will be the centre-piece for state wide celebrations. The exhibition will show in Melbourne and in 6 regional centres across Victoria commencing in September 2004 and tour for 12 months.

“Making Tracks” will explore and acknowledge the ways in which the Victorian railway network reflects the social, economic and technological changes in Victoria over the past 150 years. The exhibition will also look at the ways in which today’s rail infrastructure is being used.

Writing of the “History of the Victorian Railways” by Assoc. Professor Robert Lee and publication by Melbourne University Publishing

The history will reflect the significance the railways has had on the development of Victoria since the 1850’s. The history of the Victorian railway network is vital to understanding the history of the State as the network reflects the technological, economic and social forces of the past one and a half centuries, and it remains pivotal in the state’s economy.

Development of an on-line photographic archive incorporating the Museum Victoria collection and the Victorian Railways collection held at the Public Records Office

“Tracks Through Time” is a project involving the development of a website to provide a visual and narrative exploration of the last 150 years of Victorian railway history. The project draws on existing collections held by Museum Victoria and the Public Record Office Victoria.

· Sandridge Railway Line – a self guided trail brochure prepared by Museum Victoria

The brochure will outline the significance of the Sandridge railway line through the interpretation of its historic features existing in the past and through what remains today, identifying key heritage places and the derivation of some key place and reserve names passed along the way. It will outline the critical role the line and Station Pier played in the development of Melbourne and Victoria through immigration, trade, manufacturing and transport.

Interpretive signage is being developed to tell the story of:

the first railway line Flinders Street to Sandridge (Port Melbourne)

locations in the districts visited by the touring exhibition