FEDRAIL Manifesto

[John Ashworth]

Received 18/11/2016

Dear Heritage enthusiast,

As someone interested in railway preservation I would like to tell you about a new organisation, the Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa (FEDRAIL SA), recently founded in Southern Africa to promote and support railway preservation and rail tourism. The region has historically been a favoured destination for preservationists from around the world with steam traction and varied and magnificent scenery and destinations for rail tourism. In recent years, despite our favourable currency, this attraction has declined with limited offerings from local suppliers.

The South African Preservation sector has a less than perfect image and a current industry association with fairly narrow interests. From our experience industry associations need to be managed by elder statesmen who have an in-depth knowledge of how this sector works and who not only understand good corporate governance but believe emphatically in the importance of it.

FEDRAIL SA was created in order to fill this vacuum. We do not believe that FEDRAIL SA should be considered as a competitive force in the Railway Preservation and Tourism sector. It is an organisation which has a large membership, is well funded and it has a Board and a group of advisers who understand the issues involved.

The potential for expansion of FEDRAIL SA is considerable. It is already achieving strong international recognition from organisations such as FEDECRAIL (European Federation of Museum & Tourist Railways) and World Association of Tourist Trams and Trains (WATTRAIN). Influential international people have already joined FEDRAIL SA and include people like Sir William McAlpine, Chairman of the British Railway Heritage Trust (see: www.railwayheritagetrust.co.uk/), and Al Harper, the owner of a number of highly successful and arguably some of the best preserved railways in the world (see: www.durangotrain.com). Our membership increases on a day-by-day basis.

Recently we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Transnet Foundation giving us recognition by the national railway authority as a representative body of railway preservation and rail tourism industry in South Africa.

We have also been appointed by the South African National Railway and Steam Museum (SANRASM) to manage the custodianship of their assets and allocate these to preservation projects throughout South Africa.

For 2017 we have also been instrumental, in partnership with one of our members, Sandstone Heritage Trust, to enable a number of rail enthusiast groups to visit South Africa. Many of these groups will be visiting many of the preservation operators where international visitors have been few and far between over the last decade or so.

There is no question that Railway Preservation and Railway Tourism is a potentially huge asset for South Africa in terms of its economy. It creates jobs, benefits previously disadvantaged communities in rural South Africa and just as importantly it attracts foreign tourists with their all-important foreign exchange.

At a recent review by the Board it was agreed that FEDRAIL SA should commit to the following list of priorities:

1) To lift South Africa’s credibility in the eyes of the foreign Railway Preservation and tourist markets. The disappearance of the iconic and unique and irreplaceable Railways in South Africa that the country was famous for has left us with a tarnished image. However, on the plus side new initiatives are gaining momentum such as the Ceres Line, the expanding profile of the Sandstone Heritage Trust, the creation of a new National Preservation centre by Transnet in Bloemfontein, the ongoing work being done at the George Museum and many other fledgling developments. All of this needs to be coordinated and managed in a way that none of them act in a discordant way and then once things have settled down to market the country to the world. FEDRAIL SA has that capability.

2) To arbitrate. There will always be disputes and in fact there are a number on the table at the moment. FEDRAIL SA has offered its services free of charge to mediate in each case in order to bring about the best possible end result. This in some cases means working with organisations that have stepped out of line and to provide wise counsel the parties do act in a manner which might inadvertently set the movement back.

3) To manage projects. Discussions have been held regarding assisting with the management of assets such as the spare parts inventory of steam locomotive parts still left in the country. There are maintenance issues relating to the National Collection and other items in different parts of the country. The desire to draw a line in the sand and to preserve what is left in South Africa will not reach its full potential unless there is continuity regarding the security and upkeep of the items in question. FEDRAIL SA can provide that service and in so doing draws not only on the best local talent that is available but also on the services of international professionals but would make use of sophisticated IT management tools which it has at its disposal. South Africa still retains a lot of goodwill and FEDRAIL SA has had many offers of assistance from organisations that have not only faced but also overcome similar difficulties.

Cooperation is always the best way to develop an industry. Up to now the parties have been too far apart and there was perhaps a lack of mutual trust which inhibited cooperation. In addition this needs to be a democratic process where the very best people in this sector are involved. This is not an organisation that plans to provide a mini fiefdom for individuals who can exercise authority that they do not have.

Why join Fedrail?

1 Legally constituted NPC
2 Internationally recognised and affiliated
3 Large membership comprising local and international expertise
4 Focused on rail tourism and in particular heritage rail tourism
5 Experienced and qualified directors
6 Non regulatory stance to members but with expertise and connections to regulatory bodies to enable a positive advisory service
7 International links will enable worldwide focus on Southern Africa
8 In twelve months of operation has been widely accepted as a required organisation in Southern Africa
9 Dedicated to expanding the rail tourism sector and the wellbeing of its members
10 An active web site and regular news briefs to disseminate the latest information to members
11 A dedicated strategy to include all members input on all matters
10 Inexpensive membership fees

Our Manifesto

To link and unify the Railway Preservation community in Southern Africa.
To seek links with likeminded federations around the world to enhance and promote their achievements to the broader public and to provide a voice for Southern African organisations on the local and international stage.
Railway Heritage is a substantial tourism magnet and The Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa seeks to promote railway heritage and operating railways as an attractive tourist experience.
The Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa’s objective is to serve its members for the purpose of expanding the sector and enhancing the wellbeing of all operators, interest groups and railway associations.
The Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa will also provide an advisory service to the state railway organisations, operators, interest groups and railway associations.
The Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa will have a media strategy, publish articles and have coordinated gatherings where historical railway information is disseminated.

You may join FEDRAIL SA online by accessing our website, www.fedrail.co.za, and clicking on membership applications.

Join FEDRAIL SA now and have your say in the future of Railway Preservation and Tourism in Southern Africa.

Kind regards,

Dave Richardson
Director

Federation of Heritage Railways of Southern Africa <Federation_of_Heritage_Railways_@mail.vresp.com>