Petition: Help us to preserve a piece of our railway history
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:33 pm
If you have a spare moment we would appreciate the support of Sensational-Adelaide members with this petition. You don't have to be a RailSA member to add your name to the petition but you will be required to confirm your signature by clicking an instant email link. If privacy is a concern, you can choose to hide your name from public viewing.
GM1 is a heritage icon. It is said to be the first mainline diesel locomotive operated in Australia, completing its test run prior to SAR’s 900, and has been based in SA since it was completed in 1951. The Commonwealth of Australia has owned this locomotive since then, however now it is being made available for preservation for just the cost of the transfer, and we have a responsibility to ensure it stays at home in South Australia, and preferably operational.
RailSA is asking you to sign this petition for its transfer to either the National Railway Museum or SteamRanger Heritage Railway, where it could be enjoyed by the South Australian public for generations. We have started a petition collecting an array of signatures to date from prominent rail enthusiasts to patriotic South Australians and even those interstate and overseas keen to see its retention in the state it called home for nearly 60 years.
Since the petition was launched, correspondences from both SteamRanger and the National Railway Museum have been positive. SteamRanger members have demonstrated strong support for the locomotive through responses in the petition and encouragement from members in the senior reaches of the organisation. The National Railway Museum has also indicated it will discuss the possibility of launching an application.
The petition will be sent to both the National Railway Museum and SteamRanger on December 18th, 2009, and will be offered to both organisations as a tool they can use to demonstrate public support for the preservation of the locomotive within this state. RailSA has pledged to contribute to the cause if a South Australian organisation launches a successful submission, but we still need your support. With enough signatures, we are hopeful that we can help to keep GM1 South Australian for the enjoyment of future generations.
Thanks to all those who have signed for their support so far, lets keep working to ensure that GM1 can stay at home in South Australia.
Its time to speak up and make a difference!
Thanks!
