E-newsletter #4 Rimutaka Incline Railway Monday, 24 November 2003 Hi all, In this issue: 1. BERL give positive economic feasibility assessment 2. 125th anniversary celebrated at Summit 3. Trust Deed alterations proposed for 17 December 4. Formation walk, Sunday 30th November, 1pm at Maymorn. 5. Apologies for website outage ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1. BERL give positive economic feasibility assessment ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Press Release 24 November 2003: The Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust's proposal to reinstate the railway over the Rimutaka Range has taken another major step towards fruition with the release of a positive economic assessment from BERL (Business and Economic Research Ltd*). The proposed heritage-tourist railway is set to become an iconic tourist attraction for Upper Hutt, South Wairarapa and the entire Wellington region. BERL has recognised that the proposal is ambitious, exciting, and one that will define a point of difference in Wellington's tourist attraction offerings. The Trust is pleased that BERL's findings have confirmed that the intention to build and operate a tourist-heritage railway attraction is both viable and practicable. The BERL report has been made possible by funding, gratefully received and made available, from the Rimutaka Licensing Charitable Trust. BERL identified three key elements to developing a viable tourist-heritage railway attraction over the former Rimutaka Incline route - achieving and sustaining visitation, promptly expanding the attraction, and widening the potential visitor base. More on our website at: http://www.rimutaka-incline-railway.org.nz/news/feasibility-study-200311 24.h tml +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2. 125th anniversary celebrated at Summit +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ On Saturday 18th October 2003 the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Kaitoke to Featherston section of the Wellington and Masterton Railway was remembered. Greater Wellington, the Regional Council, Department of Conservation (DOC) and The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ), Engineering Heritage jointly held an event to celebrate and recognise the engineering heritage of the former railway route. Guests and attendees had made their way to Summit from Upper Hutt by bus and private vehicles. More on our website at: http://www.rimutaka-incline-railway.org.nz/news/summit-125.html ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3. Trust Deed alterations proposed for 17 December ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After much deliberation, the Trustees propose to alter the Trust Deed to provide for 'Membership of the Trust'. We had initially thought that an Incorporated Society could be formed to provide for membership. On further evaluation it was determined that membership could be provided within the Trust relatively easily. Details will be sent out after our meeting on the 17th. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4. Formation walk, Sunday 30th November, 1pm at Maymorn. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ We will meet this Sunday 30th November, 1pm at Maymorn. Contact mailto:hugh.mccracken@baldwin-steam.org.nz or phone 021 701 551 for more information. Hope to see you there if you are local and can make it. For our overseas supporters - we will take further photos on the day and share as soon as we can. +++++++++++++++++++++++ 5. Apologies for website outage +++++++++++++++++++++++ Due to circumstances out of our control, the website was down from late Friday 21st November through to Monday 24th. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. regards Hugh McCracken Chair Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust Website: http://www.rimutaka-incline-railway.org.nz/ Address: P O Box 39-299, Wellington Mail Centre E-mail: mailto:hugh.mccracken@baldwin-steam.org.nz Phone: 021 701 551 (mob) (04) 914 5277 (bus) (04) 9733 889 (res) This electronic mail message together with any attachments is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient: - Do not copy, disclose or use the contents in any way. - Please let us know by return e-mail immediately, then destroy this message. Rimutaka Incline Railway is not responsible for on-sending or any changes made to this message and/or any attachments after sending by Rimutaka Incline Railway. [#0116] To be removed from this e-newsletter subscription list, please reply with the word "Remove" in the subject line. --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.779 / Virus Database: 526 - Release Date: 19/10/2004