Progress on Chifley engine, Progress on Chifley engine

THE fate of an historic steam engine driven by former Prime Minister Ben Chifley rests on the results of a report ordered by Bathurst City Council., The engine was transported to Bathurst from Orange in March last year and a $17,000 bill for its removal sent to the Canobolas Heritage Railway Society. The volunteer group had been restoring the engine in Orange., Bathurst City Council administration manager, John Clague, said the engine was currently being stored in Bathurst., “The engine is being stored in Bathurst awaiting a report. We have engaged a railway engine expert to carry out an inventory on the parts to finish the engine,” Mr Clague said., “We are also looking at the condition of carriages with the Canobolas Heritage Railway group at East Fork., “We want to get the engine a going concern,” he said., Mr Clague said the report on the Chifley Engine was being carried out by Bruce Bellingham and a copy would be sent to Powerhouse Museum staff who are working closely with Bathurst City Council on the project., “The report will contain valuable information for us on the next part of the project,” Mr Clague said. , “There is a lot of community support to get the engine running,”, Mr Clague emphasised amicable discussions were continuing with the Canobolas Heritage Railway Society., THE fate of an historic steam engine driven by former Prime Minister Ben Chifley rests on the results of a report ordered by Bathurst City Council., The engine was transported to Bathurst from Orange in March last year and a $17,000 bill for its removal sent to the Canobolas Heritage Railway Society. The volunteer group had been restoring the engine in Orange., Bathurst City Council administration manager, John Clague, said the engine was currently being stored in Bathurst., “The engine is being stored in Bathurst awaiting a report. We have engaged a railway engine expert to carry out an inventory on the parts to finish the engine,” Mr Clague said., “We are also looking at the condition of carriages with the Canobolas Heritage Railway group at East Fork., “We want to get the engine a going concern,” he said., Mr Clague said the report on the Chifley Engine was being carried out by Bruce Bellingham and a copy would be sent to Powerhouse Museum staff who are working closely with Bathurst City Council on the project., “The report will contain valuable information for us on the next part of the project,” Mr Clague said. , “There is a lot of community support to get the engine running,”, Mr Clague emphasised amicable discussions were continuing with the Canobolas Heritage Railway Society.