Investigators Report in toDorrigo - 1989

This report (1) of (2) was carried out by the ABC in 1989 reporting on the shambles that had become the Dorrigo Railway Museum. It is in particular very critical of one Mr. Keith Jones - and with good reason. Anyone involved with NSW rail Preservation today should know the contents of this report so they can prevent it happening to their own groups.

[@henrywhittaker2519]

Vandalism by neglect. The collection should be seized & sent to Thirlmere.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I was up in Dorrigo a year or so ago... The whole consist of trains of trains stored there are now a crumbling mess. The rail line down the mountain to Glenreagh is now just a memory. Many of the volunteers shown in the old video, have since passed away, never seeing the fruits of their labor come to fruition. It would appear that the operator is nothing more than an obsessive hoarder.

[@siredith8846]

This is when the ABC was a true public broadcaster.

[@crispsyboy]

when I first found out about dorrigo, it made me excited. now every time I hear the word it just makes me sad. Keith Jones had the chance to make something amazing with like minded people and he DID. he got steam up at dorrigo, then he let greed and corruption set in, this place hasn't changed in condition, all it's done is gotten bigger. they refuse to sell anything, he's basically stolen assets from other members and continues to lie to everyone that it's coming back soon. dorrigo isn't a preservation society, it's a scrapyard of dying locomotives, bad promises and broken dreams

[@einsteinisgreat]

You heard him (1989) "there's no doubt about it, it is going to happen". What a betrayal of the hundreds of volunteers who restored the full length of the line in the 70's and 80's. The locos and rolling stock in this video have rusted and rotted to hell but he's still collecting more - apparently in his own name. The story of one man's crazed obsession. A MAGNIFICENT OPPORTUNITY LOST.

[@Kylieahann]

With a bit of luck he will rust and rot as well.

[@deanpd3402]

@@Kylieahann would be remarkable if he doesn't.

[@thegreatdivide825]

It's the last decade of the KJ regime, he's 73 years old now. Things will get moving again after his demise

[@einsteinisgreat]

@@thegreatdivide825 I hope so. Let me know if I can help.

[@beaujest4]

The show aired in 1989, it's now 2018 and still nothing happening. Such a shame and utter waste.

[@phil-bh5bu]

Now its 2021 and nothing wasting away waste

[@adriankingston4338]

@@phil-bh5bu obviously you havent been up there recently and had a look.

[@griffinrails]

@@adriankingston4338 what, you transferred 4 more locos up to sit around for even longer doing jack? amazing progress

[@adriankingston4338]

@@griffinrails whers the 4 locomotives you've saved from scrap ?

[@trevaus1121]

And now it’s 2024.

[@nurtsurt]

Was there two weeks ago and apart from more items added to the collection it still looks pretty much the same as the video.

[@FA7273]

30 years later it's still in shambles .... but the locos are still in existence for the future. Maybe history May be kinder to Jones.

[@joshytrains5038]

That railway could have been amazing but greed turned it into nothing

[@chewie211171]

The ABC should do a follow up report,eg for the 730 report. As of 2013 the situation has only gotten worse, probably to the point of no return. Jones is still in control and the collection of locos is still rusting away. It is such a pity considering that this could have put Dorrigo on the map and been a major tourism drawcard. Thanks for nothing Keith!

[@adriankingston4338]

Thanks for your help trying to get the place open 🙂👍!

[@mark3mark]

I just went there on the weekend, and I was there in 2005, Hasn't changed much maybe a new fence on the station side, When I was there in 2005, Jones let me jump the fence and I spent all day walking around with my camera exploring, I had the time of my life. took heaps of photos. It;s sad Glenreagh has stopped its train rides.

[@einsteinisgreat]

This was made in 1989. In 1995 I visited the Dorrigo museum with a group from the ARHS and we heard Jones still telling his lies. "we will restore two steam locos (yes TWO) and have trains running to Megan in one year and along the full length of the line a year or two after that" etc. HEY - its 2010! Another 15 years has passed. Go there, see it for yourself. The entire length of the track is TOTALLY UNRESTORABLE, overgrown with bush which in many areas ressembles tropical jungle.

[@adriankingston4338]

Your full of shit !

[@Kylieahann]

Someone's angry 🤣 is that you conman Keith?

[@adriankingston4338]

@@Kylieahann ahhh another sheep, you go follow the rest of the flock now 😏

[@einsteinisgreat]

@@adriankingston4338 IT IS OBVIOUS THAT JONES HIDES UNDER THE PSEUDONYM OF ADRIAN KINGSTON. What a tragedy. If he does demise, most of us who care will have done so also. The line is dead.

[@adriankingston4338]

@@einsteinisgreat your couch needs a break mate let it air out.

[@AustNRail]

It appears to be a massive confidence trick.

[@staffy109]

I don't know anything about who owns this or that, I used to be a financial member way back in 1983, I have film of the move from Rhondda pit to the present location (although my film ceased @ Dungog), but I have heard that he has just bought the collection from the 'Rothbury Riot Railway', my understanding was that the 10 class locomotives were not supposed to leave the Hunter Valley, it so sad to see all that history just sitting there, anyway one day it might happen but I won't be holding my breath, cheers dennis

[@griffinrails]

Actually, the collection at Rothbury Riot has turned into basically a shared museum between almost all museums, as well as housing. I know that this comment is 3 years old, but I thought I might as well still make it.

[@MullyDiesel]

griffin rails do what’s the story up there at Rothbury? Is there anything still there?

[@griffinrails]

MullyDiesel Tons of stuf is there, even another community trying to restore the DEB set there.

[@fordlandau]

This man must be very old now. The hoarding has taken everything.

[@nurtsurt]

I'll take your comment seriously hartleymartin as a person who is not involved either way if you dispute with evidence and in particular the bit about members funds buying a house for Mr Jones as his own property to do with what he pleases.I'd be betting had they have known this then that money would not have been forthcoming and is it any wonder they took him to court if in fact this is right.What would you do if you thought someone was ripping you off?

[@steveamurray59]

What a Joke ! The Government should take their pick and close it down ! Most has almost turned to dust.

[@johnjacobs9184]

That Guy has Lost the plot.

[@TiernanOleary]

I have lived in Dorrigo all my life sad really the carriages have mostly decomposed, the bowling club shut down about 10 years ago sad

[@lard_lad_AU]

The town of Dorrigo denied a tourist attraction for the last 30+ years by a grumpy old fart with a hoarding problem.

[@adriankingston4338]

You havent got a clue what your even saying you dont know keith you've never met keith and you probably will never meet the man and members who saved this priceless collection of Australian railway history including myself, your a sheep just like the rest of the flock that believe what the media throws in front of you! The real reason's for this spectacular achievment being delayed to the public are not too far away from dorrigo to be exact and operate under the name of the Glenraigh Mountain Railway you can thank this group for causing all the problems that dorrigo has faced over the years that's denied the public access to the Largest Railway Museum in the world ! So far. But we will win in the end people will see the truth!

[@lard_lad_AU]

Adrian Kingston your delusional and a fool. And most likely Keith’s sock puppet

[@Kylieahann]

@@adriankingston4338 What a load of shit. Grow up and stop being so delusional Boomer

[@adriankingston4338]

@@Kylieahann yeah someone is angry 🤣

[@adriankingston4338]

@@Kylieahann by the way im 35 years old 😎 hahaha "boomer" that the best you could come up with ?

[@emanon86]

Are you familiar with defamation and slander laws ? To me at least, and this is NOT legal advise, the break-away group could have you in a court for your allegations. Virtually everyone with an open mind will come to an independent conclusion that there is at best, a suggestion of wrong doing, upon the behalf of the volunteers, for what they were steered to believe the intent of the museum was for.

[@adriankingston4338]

Good thing they dont exsist anymore then ay!

[@Kylieahann]

Lmfao 🎻

[@briannem.6787]

It'd be the ABC they'd sue, not the guy reuploading...

[@granskare]

a former clerk in a small town in Illinois embezzled some 55 million US$ and was only caught when she went on leave and a replacement noticed improper accounting...much of the funds have been recovered but not all. She is now imprisoned for some 20 years.

[@adriankingston4338]

What the hell has that got anything to do with the worlds largest railway museum ?

[@froginasock8782]

@@adriankingston4338 History repeating itself soon, one hopes.

[@adriankingston4338]

@@froginasock8782 so you hope all these items go to scrap is that it?

[@griffinrails]

@@adriankingston4338 Everyone, and i mean EVERYONE wants the items to go to REPUTABLE OWNERS, no matter what. At this point I'd prefer if they went to heaven instad of the purgatory they lie in right now. Begging to council and pouring oil on some locos isn't restoring. Sorry but that's life.

[@adriankingston4338]

@@griffinrails the museum carries on and your opinion doesnt matter 🙂

[@The8224sm]

Eventually, he will own a big pile of dust.

[@barneyda351]

What a Prick.

[@rearspeaker6364]

THATS A START FOR THIS WANKER!!

[@australiantrainsproduction8838]

No use are wrong we have done lots of work to save the museum and we should have a steam train running soon

[@Kylieahann]

🤣

[@chewie211171]

You people said that 30 years ago!

[@thegreatdivide825]

😂😂😂

[@chewie211171]

Bullshit!

[@aussienscale]

Absolute rubbish, nothing has changed there in a last decade !!

[@thegreatdivide825]

The Glenreagh end of the line (about 30km) is now destined to become a Rail Trail to Ulong. The Glenreagh Mountain Railway will only use about 2km of the line for their steam train operations

[@adriankingston4338]

If u people could see the progress made now u would eat your words you can all thank the GMR for the criminal delay in this museums opening !!!

[@scottaston5449]

Adrian Kingston . I’ve looked up the museums website which outlines the future objects and “recent activities”. Could you possible add detail to what has happened with the infrastructure grant for security funding? Also whilst you have your finger on the pulse how accreditation for rolling stock operation is helping you achieve your goal for operating running operations? Much thanks and all the best. Steam on....

[@thegreatdivide825]

No progress made

[@adriankingston4338]

@@thegreatdivide825 thats what all the armchair critics think and sadly your one of them !

[@adriankingston4338]

@@thegreatdivide825 i dought that !!!

[@adriankingston4338]

I've been a member now for over 15 years asshole ! And seen it grow into the biggest railway museum in the world and ive never seen your name in the log book ! Or the news letters plus you a bit of a hypocrite if you recon no progress has been made saying your last statement.