Exchange for the Locomotive in Mitchell Memorial Park

Maranoa Regional Council is seeking community input regarding potential opportunities for theitems offered by Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) in exchange for relocation of the Mitchell locomotive.

The locomotive spent the last 10 years of its working life in Ipswich, and will be returning there later this year to be restored by QPSR.

The options offered by QPSR:

Westlander MAS Sleeping Car 1540 and/or a miniature train and riding car.
A cab to be mounted in the park or elsewhere as potential playground equipment. There will also be an interpretive display installed about the original locomotive.

Please complete this survey to provide your comments.

Council will make a decision based on your preference and feedback as detailed in this form. By providing your name and address, you are validating the information provided on this form.

First Name*

Last Name*

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Westlander MAS Sleeping Car 1540

The community was asked to provide their feedback on the possible uses for the sleeping car when first proposed for exchange by QPSR as part of the initial consultation undertaken in October 2018.

A majority of responses received at that time indicated a preference for the sleeping car to be displayed at the Booringa Heritage Museum. The group have been informally approached and have advised they do not have the staffing numbers or capacity to receive the sleeping car.

Further preliminary enquiries have also been made with the lessee of the Major Mitchell Caravan Park, who have also confirmed they do not wish to receive the sleeping car.

The Booringa Action Group (BAG) have suggested the Mitchell Railway Station Precinct as an alternative location for the sleeping car, if this precinct is further developed as a museum to enhance tourism experiences available in the town of Mitchell.

At this stage no formal approach has been made by Booringa Action Group to Queensland Rail in regard to this potential option being progressed.

Question 1

Are you in favour of accepting the Westlander MAS sleeping car 1540 as an exchange item for the locomotive?

Yes

Question 2

Are you in support of the sleeping car being located at the Mitchell Railway Station Precinct suggested by Booringa Action Group?

Yes

If you answered No, please provide your suggestions of an alternative location and potential use for the sleeping car.

Miniature Train and Riding Car

QPSR have also offered for purchase a miniature train engine and riding car. QPSR will also provide up to 100m of track, which can be added to in the future.

In considering the purchase of a miniature train a number of factors will need to be considered:

Location of the train
Future maintenance requirements
Driver training/safety requirements
Hours of operation and manning of the line

Question 3

If the community indicates by majority that it would like to accept the Westlander sleeping car, are you in favour of Council also purchasing the miniature train and riding car?

Yes

Please provide your further comments to support your answer.

Question 4

Would you be interested in volunteering to operate the miniature train?

Yes

If you are responding as a member of a community group/s please specify the name of the group/s.

Question 5

Please indicate your preferred location for the miniature train.
(Number 1 being your most preferred option):

Mitchell Memorial Park/ Skate Park/ Youth Precinct

Proposed Mitchell Railway Precinct

Heritage Museum Precinct

Other

If you answered Other, please provide your suggestions of an alternative location.

Train Cab and Interpretive Signage/Mitchell Memorial Park Redevelopment

Train Cab and Interpretive Signage

As part of the exchange proposal, QPSR have agreed to supply (at no cost to Council), a constructed train cab replica and interpretive display outlining the history of the locomotive located in Mitchell Memorial Park.

Question 6

Are you in support of these items being located in the Mitchell Memorial Park as part of its redevelopment?

Yes

If you answered No, please provide your further comments to support your answer.

Question 7

Do you have any historical information about the locomotive which could be considered for inclusion in the interpretive display? (E.g. - a story and/or photo about or involving the locomotive)

Yes

If you answered Yes, please provide your contact details at the start of the survey.

Mitchell Memorial Park Redevelopment

Council has set aside $5,000 in the current budget to develop a Master Plan for the Mitchell Memorial Park Precinct and surrounding area to better plan for future uses of the precinct.

Further community consultation will be undertaken to develop the master plan, which will be staged to allow for delivery as budget is approved.

Once the locomotive is removed, the crank shaft and fly wheel from the Mitchell Power House and the steam traction engine will be left in the Park, as neither piece of equipment is related to the locomotive or rail transportation.

The Booringa Heritage Museum have informally indicated they are willing to have these relocated to the Booringa Heritage Museum to complement their display.

Question 8

Are you in support of this equipment potentially being relocated to the Booringa Heritage Museum?

Yes

We Respect Your Privacy

Maranoa Regional Council understands that your privacy is very important to you and wishes to preserve your right to control and protect that information. Under no circumstances will your name and address be given to any third party unless you have given us permission or we are required to by law.