NEW! Steam in Action manifesto

[John Ashworth]

The manifesto of the new organisation Steam in Action was launched on 29th October 2007 (attached)

This is a very important step for steam heritage operations in South Africa - please read it

[John Ashworth]

We are conscious of how busy people are. However we have been working on an initiative for some time which is best summarised in the link below. If it rings any bells or if you know anyone who has Steam, Rail or Tourism empathy you may wish to send it on.

Perhaps we should all pause and turn the clock back from time to time.

Sincerely,
Wilfred E. Mole / Shaun Ackerman
For Steam in Action

Welcome to Steam in Action.

An open invitation is going out to South African Steam operators, i.e. other clubs and people who currently operate or have a desire to operate Steam locomotives in any configuration to join this initiative.

The broader Steam enthusiast group, i.e. specialist photographers and people who just love Steam.

International railways, clubs and enthusiast groups who see a benefit in a partnership agreement with an active and competent South African Steam coordination group.

Governments, both national and regional, tourist authorities, railway organisations and anyone who has a commitment to the future of rail. A national rail picture without a passenger component and without a Heritage component might be successful financially but in the eyes of the world is still ultimately a sterile railway enterprise.

Finally, the public and anyone with a sense of excitement and adventure.

http://www.steam-in-action.com/manifesto.html

[John Ashworth]

Story ID 2401651
517 words (T)

PR-RAILWAY-HERITAGE-TOURISM
SAPA PR -- SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES RAILWAY HERITAGE TOURISM INITIATIVE

Issued by: Sandstone Estates

Attention: News Editors

For immediate release:


5 November 2007

SOUTH AFRICA LAUNCHES RAILWAY HERITAGE TOURISM INITIATIVE

Three major players in the Rail Tourism and Rail Heritage sector in
Southern Africa have joined forces to promote, uplift and develop the
potential for Rail Tourism in Southern Africa. Entitled "Steam in
Action", the three groups, namely Reefsteamers, a major long distance
steam rail operator based in Germiston, Friends of the Rail, a similar
organisation based in Pretoria, and the Sandstone Heritage Trust, which
operates a Narrow Gauge railway of global significance, have joined
forces to develop this initiative.

A spokesman for Reefsteamers, Shaun Ackerman, stated, "South Africa
is widely recognised as having one of the most interesting and diverse
railway networks in the world. The country has long been regarded as a
Mecca for railway enthusiasts, particularly for photographers and those
who wish to enjoy steam hauled heritage locomotives operating in their
natural environment. From the tiniest Narrow Gauge Sugar Cane
locomotives to the mighty GMAM Garratts, South Africa has it all." For
a number of years now steam operations in South Africa have been in
decline. Lack of funding and manpower, as well as restrictions placed
by the national authority, has caused shrinkage in the movement.
Information has now been released to the effect that THF, the division
within Transnet which owns the vast majority of the country's remaining
steam locomotives and runs the world famous "Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe", will
be phased out and possibly put up for sale. A strong desire exists
within and outside South Africa to save our Railway Heritage and use it
as a tool to attract foreign and local tourists. Consequently the
"Steam in Action" initiative has been launched. This aims to stabilise
and reinvigorate heritage rail activities in South Africa by means of
garnering financial and moral support from people worldwide.

Spurred on by the desire to ensure that line closures and the
scrapping of locomotives was curtailed, "Steam in Action" seeks to
point out to the various role players within the railway sector in
South Africa that its railway network is a highly regarded national
treasure which needs to be developed and not diminished.

A manifesto has been released today with worldwide distribution.
Mike Myers of the Sandstone Heritage Trust commented, "We can only
achieve our long-term objectives with international support and
cooperation. It is the international railway tourist who is most likely
to appreciate the magic of a Steam Railway experience in Southern
Africa. We are encouraging them to visit South Africa and to work with
us to ensure that what we offer is up to international standards in all
respects. Furthermore Railway Heritage is well developed in many
countries, particularly in Europe, the United States and Australia, and
we seek collaboration with different role players within these
organisations to ensure that we learn from them and lift our standards
to international levels."

For further details contact joannewest@btinternet.com (Attach:
Manifesto)

Source : Ends /dm

Date : 05 Nov 2007 12:56
OrigID : LP0573