The Latest News:
At the meeting held 25th
September 2009, it was
resolved that the
Toronto Coffee Pot Tramway and
Museum Society Inc. be
wound up following lack of support, nor any feedback from RIC or RAC.
Accordingly, as per the constitution, all assets were to be sold and surplus
funds were to be donated to a like minded organisation. The Office of Fair
Trading was also to be advised.
So after all the years of enthusiastic planning and work done by the members, we
have come to the sad and disappointing end for this little group of enthusiasts.
While some background activities have been proposed, there have been no further
outcomes, so the
0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
The Toronto
Coffee Pot Tramway and Museum Society Inc.
has been communicating
with RIC and the Minister of Railways
over the last couple of years! Here is a brief chronological look at
"progress":
The latest hurdle to overcome
is the requirement that no part of the cycleway be within 3 metres of the
rail line and a 4km long, stock-proof fence is to be erected each side of
the line on the 3 metres (Cess) boundary. Our Risk Assessment stated that
the maximum speed of the Tram would be 5 kph in designated areas where the
cycleway was close to the line. The maximum speed of the Tram will be 15kph.
Using the Darling Harbour Tramway as a precedent was not acceptable as it
does not operate under RIC (Rail Infrastructure Corporation which was RAC, Rail
Access Corporation) regulations.
At the July 2006 meeting of Directors of the TCPT&MS, it was decided that owing to the lack of support by various Government authorities, that the Society be wound up. To that end, the process of the disposal of assets has been initiated according to the Society's constitution.
20 October 2004: response by Peter Cutts Ministerial & Strategic Co-ordination-
"... the Minister .. has asked me to acknowledge your letter concerning a tourist tramway service from Toronto to Fassifern.
The matters are currently being examined and a reply will be forwarded to you as soon as possible."
30 September 2004: letter from the Society to Minister Costa (Minister of Transport Services and Minister for Hunter) -
"... reference is made to the letter from Mr John Lee ...
" ... after ten years and thousands of hours of dedicated effort in attempting to provide the community with a world class operating museum facility, the response has totally, either intentionally or otherwise failed to understand the basics of the request.
The Society is aware of the authority of, and the constraints imposed by Rail Access Corporation. Numerous meetings with various identities from the Corporation have established that a tramway is beyond their jurisdiction. It is understood that control of rail assets outside of those used by City Rail have been removed from RIC control. The Toronto / Fassifern line is not connected to the mainline and should be treated as a special case. The requirement for stock proof fencing is not only unnecessary, but also impossibly expensive and would not be tolerated by the community. The provision of fencing would not enhance safety in an organised and properly run tramway operation.
The corridor will most likely never be used again for passenger rail, and in the event that it is required our Society understands that it would be required to relinquish or share. Our proposal does take into account the works required to reinstate the line to tramway standards, but not to mainline standards as directed by RIC.
The asset should be used to its greatest potential. It would generate significant tourist interest in Lake Macquarie at a time when tourist interest in the Hunter is slowing. ...
" ... the mention of safety in the context of operational railways again indicates that the concept of a steam tramway operating ... has been lost. This is not to be a heavy mainline operation and we refer to tramways in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Ballarat, Bendigo and many other regional centres Australia wide where light tramway/rail happily exist in urban situations. Safety is paramount in our proposal, safety of travelling patrons and safety of the general public.
Our project has always enjoyed the support of the elected representatives of local, State and Federal Government as well as that of the wider community. The Society is continually fielding progress enquiries from the community, the media and from potential sponsors and beneficiaries.
The response does not give credibility and justice to the Society's proposal. We request that the due consideration be given by the Minister ... as proposed in our previously tabled documents. "
30 July 2004: reply received from John Lee, Director General, Ministry of Transport) on behalf of Minister Costa-
" ... thank you for your letter to the Minister ... regarding a proposed tramway service on the Toronto - Fassifern line ... the delay in responding is regretted ...
" ...the Ministry of transport has carefully considered your request ... requiring the line not to be fenced. The safe operation of railways in NSW is paramount and while noting the scope of your proposed operations, any legislative amendment which would reduce current safety standards cannot be supported.
I'm advised your request for control of the rail line to be transferred to the Ministry of transport lies outside the ambit of the Ministry's role. All Government owned rail corridors in NSW are the responsibility of RIC.
Additionally, 'RIC' has advised the Ministry substantial works would be required to reinstate the line including track reconstruction to form level crossings at roads and other level crossing works. ..."
15 November 2003: letter from the Society to Minister for Transport and The Hunter (M Costa) -
"..the Coffee Pot Tramway and Museum Society has for a number of years been seeking access to the disused Toronto line to operate a tourist steam tramway.
"... since 1998 the Society has been going through an accreditation process with the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) (previously The Rail Access Corporation). The Society is able to work within the guidelines for most of the scope of the operation of the line, but an apparently insurmountable obstacle lies with RIC in the form of a 1910 Act of Parliament (when the line was taken over by the Government). This act requires that the line be classified as FENCED, requiring a stock proof fence both sides of the line for its entirety (4km from Fassifern to Toronto)... the the requirement is not relevant to a slow speed light tram service operating on weekends and holidays...
" ... a cycleway has been constructed alongside the rail. This cycleway leaves and crosses the track in a number of places. There are also three road crossings where it is believed that imaginary cows and horses could enter the corridor....
... the society's plan of management would include fencing where required to to reduce any risk to tram passengers and to users of the cycleway. The speed of the tram would be varied and whistles, flags and guards employed to take into account the varying conditions at the time of operation..."
".. the viability of the society's Tramway proposal and the future of the Government asset hinges on the classification of the line ...
" ... we formally request your assistance to amend the Legislation that governs the line to change its classification to a more appropriate usage or take control of the line away from RIC and forward it to the NSW Department of transport as in the case of the Darling Harbour Tramway...
That
is as it stands as at 03 February 2009
.
Contact :- Allan Reay Ph 02
49596452
Or
Grahame Swanson Ph 02 49591054
Email:- coffeepot@exemail.com.au
Email:-
gswanny@bigpond.net.au