PLANS to return the Chifley Engine to its spiritual home at the Bathurst Railway Station are picking up steam.
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Bathurst Regional Council has awarded the tender for the construction of the shed that will house the historic locomotive.
Local company Webber Concrete Construction will build the display shed on land adjacent to the Railway Station.
Deputy mayor Ian North says he is very happy the engine will very soon be back where it belonged.
“I’m rapped it is coming back, without a doubt,” Cr North said.
“It has taken a long time but thankfully the last council decided enough is enough. We finally got an agreement to get it [the engine] fixed and get it done.
“It will cost a few more dollars to put it in the heritage precinct. Chifley was a unique gentleman to the Bathurst community.
“It has come out a bit dearer than we would have liked but I am pleased with the result and happy we are carrying it to fruition.”
Cr North said he had initially hoped the engine would be on display in the shed by Christmas but realistically, it looks more like early next year.
“We have to build a nice heritage structure and a lot of infrastructure work is involved,” he said.
Bathurst Regional Council general manager David Sherley said the construction of the Chifley Engine Shed would cost $186,445, including GST.
Webber Concrete Construction has successfully completed other projects for Council such as the construction of recycling bays at Council’s Waste Management Centre and Rural Waste Transfer Stations.
