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Australian Engines: Buyers and sellers

If the culprits are caught, then they deserve what is coming to them and if that is the confiscation of the engine or having to pay the shipping charges for its return to Australia then so be it. If engines have spent their whole life working in Australia and can be restored in Australia then that should be encouraged.

Very often a picture is painted of a few English engine owners hunting down derelict engines and ‘repatriating’ them back to the UK. This simplistic attitude overlooks the enthusiasm of many Australian engine owners who want to sell to UK buyers – indicating a lack of concern for heritage and an interest in making money by selling into the UK market.

It is often suggested that Australian engines are cheap to buy. However, when the costs of shipping and restoration are added together, then the final price will probably exceed its saleable value on the UK market. English buyers will always pay a premium for an engine with a good home-grown provenance.

I would suggest that Australian traction engine enthusiasts attempt to educate fellow Australians who own derelict engines. Such owners are custodians of Australian heritage and have a duty to preserve these engines either by restoring them or selling to fellow Australians who can restore them.

Sadly, we are looking at a subject which divides us. There are many fine engines in both Australia and the UK and we should be working together to ensure these survive long into the future.

Mike Dyson,
Haddenham, Cambs