Investigators report into Dorrigo Pt2

This report (2) 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.

[@nurtsurt]

My parents owned the home he lives in and I was born in there.I lived the first twelve years of my life in that house.Good luck and I hope one day you do get this museum up and running.

[@robertcameron2808]

The museum is still there and looks bigger it would be great 👍 to see it open.

[@zordmaker]

Footnote : NSW Railcorp is in the throws of releasing another 100 or so heritage rail items for disposal. No doubt a large amount will find their way north. Jones was noted as present at the EOI meeting last Friday.

[@zordmaker]

Nowhere near Sydney, about 9 hours away. Town survived the fallout. Not much has changed in 20 years, Jones is still collecting, trains are still not running. I think the strategy now is to wait for Jones to die. It can't be that far off. Admittedly the collection (however deteriorated) is certainly unique in the world and one day will probably form the basis of a thriving museum. But I doubt anyone alive today will last long enough to see it.

[@henrywhittaker2519]

The behaviour of Mr K. Jones is the reason the NSW Government is not sympathetic towards Rail Preservation groups other than the NSWRTM.

[@briannem.6787]

Thank you for this. I'm well on GMR's side now. While it'd be great to have the two back together... might be grim, but when Mr. Jones dies it would free up all their rollingstock, museums all around the country could get more stock, and GMR could get the upper line... Maybe it won't go like that, I feel like this won't have a good ending.

[@zordmaker]

Just be wary that this was produced a very long time ago and some of the content has since been proven to only be conjecture. It remains accessible as a record of history. But yes, sometimes death can be the only way to solve these issues. Shouldn't have to wait too much longer now.

[@gwilymrichards5989]

GMR has sold their section of the Glenreagh to Dorrigo Railway Line to a Rail Trail Mob

[@briannem.6787]

@@gwilymrichards5989 I think they themselves are doing the rail trail. But yeah, I know they've gone from "temporary rail trail until funds are sufficient" to "permanent rail trail"... I was pissed when I found that out, this comment must've been before I learnt I hate this backwater region that pretends it's bustling and luxurious... we have 2 railway museums, neither managed correctly, only 3 trains per direction per day so you basically have to fly or drive to get anywhere... there's national parks everywhere but they have either terrible pathway maintenance or are so overused you can't even park there... coffs is just absolutely full of cars and everything's dying except the big shops... people older than me probably remember "glory days" of this region, but I sadly miss seeing any of that, and I'm just saving cash to move away. Sorry for the rant. Seeing this old comment reminds me of a now-gone optimism for the area.

[@fiathriel]

It's so sad, I was up there not that long ago, it's such a beautiful collection

[@einsteinisgreat]

In 1989 it was 2 years ago. Now (2010) its 23 years ago. What a tragedy!

[@carolynbrightfield8911]

2023

[@nurtsurt]

Good point...There are a lot of tourists that like the Scenic mountain drive but 'im sure there are just as many if not more who would choose convenience instead.Its all a matter of opinion.I would love to see someone like the state government step in and throw truck loads of money at both places and the line in between irrespective of where the Museum is so long as the line is open in between.Heres hoping.

[@nurtsurt]

The distance to Coffs is the only thing Glenreagh has going for it .I travel both roads often and can tell you without a doubt the Glenreagh road is a disgrace from lack of maintainence however the waterfall way is better in comparison and the Dorrigo mountain is now an excellent road .U tube "highway downhill skateboarding".You simply can't do that on a bad road .Glenreagh can't be compared to Dorrigo in terms of natural beauty and the ability to attract tourists.Nothing agains't Glenreagh but?

[@chewie211171]

The outcome, 30 years later, is that nothing has changed. The collection is still there rusting away, the line largely beyond repair. Such a pity because this project could have put Dorrigo on the tourist map.

[@Joe-jd4pn]

I remember this. It was a long time ago.

[@arthurashema9675]

I went down there recently, I thought I was looking for a museum, not a scrapyard! hand 3813 over to the NSWRTM or ARHS, ACT devision.

[@adriankingston4338]

So wheres the RTM or ARHS now mate The RTM originaly had 3813 RUSTING AWAY IN S TRUCKS OUT THE BACK OF THIRLMERE IN ROTTEN ROW! Now the loco has been preserved in oil up in dorrigo. And the ARHS dont even have 6029 any more they sold it because they cant manage there afairs properly and u wanted 3813 to go down the same path ?

[@Carrscreekcritter]

What a disgrace in this community that Keith Jones has created. If he has any respect for heritage of railway he himself would not treat the collection of memorabilia from the past which is memories from families and communities local and away. It does not only be the rolling stock it also was the commitment from the workers that layed the line to Dorrigo. It is understood and a known fact that timber and steel will wheather over time and enter into there next phase without the protection from the environment elements. This phase is known as rotten timber and rusted steel . So the memories of the rolling stock are fading away with age to be no longer alive like they once were. The loco's once had a pounding heart of steam in there day's in which they worked and enjoyed now a long and slow retirement home at Dorrigo thinking of the day they will go to China for scrap. Anyone who calls this a meusem is a fool , if they call it a collection they are correct. It is a collection of famies memories wasting away.

[@theshedrailway]

@Cinesound01 We for one Nswgr don't exists any more and same with nswsra now it's rails corp but they wouldn't have the power the only one that could intervene would be the primer