4 October 2009

This is an extra issue of NewsCast following the ATHRA meetings in Ipswich on 18th October.

The next issue will follow the HRSA general meting at St. Kilda in December,

ATHRA Awards

On Friday 16th October the Queensland Minister of Transport Hon Rachael Nolan MP announced and presented the ATHRA Awards for 2009. The Awards were as follows: Locomotive Restoration joint winners T 251 Bellarine Railway and 3265 Powerhouse Museum. Tourism Award Redwater Creek for their promotion of the railway and Steam Fest, Passenger car preservation joint winners Walkers RM 22 Yarra Valley Railway and DERM 64 Daylesford Spa Railway, ARA ATHRA Graeme Breydon Rail Safety Award DOI Victoria for work associated with re-accreditation for Heritage Groups in Victoria as a result of their amended Rail Safety Act, ARTC ATHRA Infrastructure Award to National Rail Museum Pt. Adelaide for the relocation of the Eurelia water column and construction of overhead water tank and last but not least AATHRA Excellence Award to Peter Soar for work undertaken for ARHS SA Division, SteamRanger and also as a shunt loco driver for the National Rail Museum. Congratulations to all winners. Peter was not aware that he had been nominated let alone won the award until he received phone call following the presentations. To say he was surprised I think is an understatement.

ATHRA AGM

Two members of the Executive retired this year and were subject to re-nomination. Paul Rollason who, although not part of the first meeting to establish a National Body did pick up the running and it can be said his drive saw the establishment of ATHRA, did not seek re-nomination for Vice President. Chris Martin from Tasmania was nominated to take this role Lindsay Watson from WA renominated for Treasurer.

The other two members of the Executive are not due for re-election until 2010. They are Peter Silva, President and myself as Secretary.

I place on record my thanks to Paul for the massive task he undertook in getting the organisation off the ground and serving as President and then Vice President (the Constitution only allows a delegate to be President for a maximum of four years) and further for co-ordinating the pre meeting tours as well as generally being the bus driver. A job well done and something he can be very pound off.

General Meeting Report

As many would be aware ATHRA has been involved in the development of lesson plans for the use of all member groups and their members in an attempt to not have to use RTO’s as part of the training. Some time ago the initial work was sent out for comment with a number of comments coming back in relation to Steam Loco Driver and in particular from Victoria whilst there was no comment from other areas. Several comments were provided by the tram groups for tram driver. One of the issues which has arisen is the fact that what is accepted proactive in one State is almost taboo in another State hence a need to somehow provide for all without demanding something which is not done. There were also a number of errors found.

The meeting agreed that Warren Doubleday and myself to take on the task of reviewing all of the comments and where there are errors to correct the document and where there are different requirements to list theses. This work to be done as soon as possible. The document to be then taken up by RISSB for their review and handling to finish up as a document on the Web available to all T&H sector members for their use.

The meeting also noted that there are still a number of areas where lesson plans are required and it was agreed that as soon as the current work is ready for RISSB a further will be made for funding to continue with the development of plans. The areas identified are Rollingstock (including air brake), Infrastructure (both safe working and track requirements), railmotor/railcar driver and tramway overhead.

A third phase to include Station Master and Train Controller.

At thee International Conference held immediately prior to the ATHRA meetings there was a decision taken to develop an International body. There is still a lot of information required about this body including how it would operate e.g. would the Australian representation come from ATHRA or the State groups or individual groups and most importantly what would it cost and what benefits would there b e apart from the networking which is part of any of these type of meetings where there is an exchange of ideas. The next meeting is to be held in the UK in 2012 and prior to that meeting the formation group are to report back on the how and cost etc.

ATHRA determined that a paper prepared for the meeting would be sent to all State groups along with some additional detail seeking views from everyone for relay back to the formation group for their consideration At the last ATHRA meeting a Level crossing committee was established to maintain a data base of level crossing incidences on all T&H sec tor railways and tramways. It was reported that generally Queensland groups have advised of issues however there has been little other income (I have provided derails on several accidents and near misses on SteamRanger). The meeting determined that an ATHRA Alert is required to “advertise” the work and ensure all T&H groups participate.

When Paul was President he commenced the publication of a Newsletter “Cinders and Ashes” which unfortunately has not been sent out for some time. A volunteer has been found to edit and send out this Newsletter so we look forward to some “National” news in the near future.

ATHRA was structured with each member group (State) having one representative and this group formed the Board. A number of groups also have “second representatives” however these persons do not have voting rights.

It is acknowledged that the work of ATHRA is such that the work load needs to be shared and it is proposed at the next meeting to amend the Constitution to allow each member to have two representatives on the Board.

The Board as such has never met with all meeting being “open” meeting with Associate members and other representatives from the States being present and able to have input to the meeting however any voting is restricted to the Board members.

It is proposed that there will now be meeting of the Board with “open” meeting to follow. This “model” has recently been adopted by HRSA and to date appears to have shown that more issues are able to be handled than in the past. It was also agreed that there be a “Conference” every two years with the first one to be in September 2012 and then every 2 years there after.

It has been identified that the 2012 meeting will be in New South Wales location as yet to determine subject to a number of issues such as costs etc being resolved. The next ATHRA meeting is scheduled for Tasmania in March 2010. A tour programme associated with that meeting has been prepared and sent out by Chris Martin. I have distributed it to all HRSA members and within SteamRanger. The September 2010 meeting will be in Western Australia.

The above will mean a need to amend the ATHRA Constitution and update our Policy document.

At the March 2009 meeting it was agreed to review the ATHRA strategic plan however for various reason including work loads etc this has not progressed. A sub group was appointed at the meeting to progress this.

Whilst Alan Gardner from RISSB was not present to report on the development of the Boiler Code he in fact did make a presentation to the International Conference. Currently RISSB is considering a number of responses received from the first round of consultation with a second round due shortly. An ATHRA Alert will be sent out to keep members informed.

Some twelve months the meting did consider Carbon Trading and Climate change. Work was undertaken be a member from Queensland however it was not addressed at the last meeting. This work is to be reviewed and reconsidered in the light of current Government undertakings. It is interesting to note that most T&H railways produce more emissions through the use of petrol and diesel in plant and equipment for track maintenance and for railcars and diesels locos than in running their steam locos. Several papers were delivered at the International Conference in relation to Carbon emissions.

Lindsay Watson spoke about the relevance of Drafting in the accreditation environment. A detailed paper is to be presented to the next meeting

Recently in South Australia a rail enthusiast of long standing passed away leaving an immense collection of black and white photos along with colour transparencies. He also had other items he had collected. Fortunately this individual had made provision for his collection on his demise and in doing so ensured that the collection will be available for research etc in the future. The same could not be said for another individual who had a priceless collection of items. He made no provision and the collection was subsequently broken up and sold.

All persons are urged to think about what they may have as collectables and what they want to see done with them on the demise. If you think you would like an organisation to have them check with them now about their ability to handle them and to guarantee their perpetuity.

This is a personal issue and something I cannot direct you to do but I urge you to thing about it.

The meeting also endorsed a former decision in relation to ATHRA believing that it does not require the involvement of RTO’s in its training and accreditation area.

This policy was re-endorsed and will be advised to the Rail Safety Panel. Our on going work with Lesson Plans and the use of qualified trainers and assessors should ensure that this is not yet another cost burden to be placed on the T&H sector

I thank Andrew Moritz from the Workshops Rail Museum for the venue for the ATHRA meeting.

Andrew had the task of organising and running the International Conference and did a fantastic job along with the staff who work under him

Brian Busch
President HRSA
19th October 2009