HET.org


	What is HET?
	Historic Electric Traction is a non profit company established in NSW in 1997 to assist the NSW State Rail Authority in preserving a number of vintage elctric trains in working order. The company is independent of the SRA and operates as a contractor to the SRA's Heritage Division. Through use of volunteer labour generously supplied by railway enthusiasts, HET effectively provides a "Subsidised" contracting service to enable the SRA to retain the trains in trafficable order, instead of just "static exhibits". HET also operate various TOURS of Railway interest both using the old trains on public tracks in Sydney, and by arranging special tours of locations not normally accessible to the public such as workshops, tunnels and associated railway and electrical infrastructure. We also conduct regular social outings for volunteers (such as harbour cruises, etc). Finally, HET sells low cost surplus electric railway - related products such as memorabilia, spare parts, books and diagrams etc, particularly at Model Railway exhibitions in NSW including Liverpool and Broadmeadow annually. All surplus funds from the above activities are redirected into the task of subsidizing the restoration, maintenance and operation of the NSW SRA Heritage electric fleet, providing a contracting service which would otherwise be unviable in purely "commercial" terms.


	WHO OWNS THE TRAINS? HET is unique amongst NSW "Rail Preservation Groups" in that it does not own or operate rolling stock of it's own. The carriages and workshop infrastructure are owned by the NSW State Rail Authority's Heritage Division. This structure is necessary due to the excessive cost that would arise from private ownership of working electric trains in Metropolitan Sydney. It has been estimated that if HET were to lease or purchase rolling stock and storage / workshop facilities directly, the cost of council rates alone on the required space would exceed $20,000 per year. By retaining the ownership with Government owned State Rail, many operating aspects of the various projects can easily be integrated into the SRA's existing Accreditation and Property Management, thus removing the need to "re-invent the Wheel".
	WHO CAN USE THE TRAINS? At present, this depends on availability, and the type of train you wish to use. The general rule is that ANYONE can hire a train, but there are a few rules. If you wish to hire a train, you need to deal directly with SRA's Special Projects division, who will give yo a quotation on your proposed trip and tell you about any problems such as scheduled trackwork, timetable clashes or trains available. Any individual, group or company can hire the "W SET" (Automatic Door) train. However the remaining "Manual Door" trains have special requirements regarding insurance and passenger supervision. Many other NSW Rail Preservation groups automatically qualify for these requirements, along with some other transport oriented non profit organisations. The primary factor in planning to hire a train is the availability of that train.. and that depends on whether it is, or can be made ready for traffic when you want it by HET's volunteers. If you wish to discuss just "what's possible" then you should email us.
	HOW DOES HET WORK ?? HET is a "Company Limited by Guarantee", which devotes any financial surplus back into it's primary goal of assisting the SRA in preserving working examples of NSW electric trains, specifically those no longer in revenue service. HET is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven (7), with a chairman. One third of the directors are retired each year and become eligible for reappointment, along with any other nominees received from the company membership, which is fixed at 50 members. In addition, members of the public are invited to become SOCIAL MEMBERS (unlimited number, no voting rights) who can in turn apply for FULL MEMBERSHIP (full voting rights) after 12 months with the company. The company's operating structure consists of two distinct divisions under the control of a Managing Director. These are Maintenance Division (which maintains and restores the trains and operates the workshop) and the Traffic Division (which operates tours, memorabilia sales and promotional activities.) Within these divisions are a number of department heads responsible for various activities such as Electrical, Mechanical, Financial, Secretarial, Traffic (tours), and Workplace Safety and Supervision.
	WHO is HET ?? Department Positions as of 20/7/03: Geoff Moss (Chairman, Electrical Engineer) Ed Sutton (General Manager) Barry Goodsell (Mechanical Engineer) Peter Maljevac (Secretary) David Fox (Treasurer) Steven Walker Director and O&HS Lorraine Sutton (Sales)
	Historic Electric Traction and "Sydney Electric Train Society (SETS)": Some confusion exists as to the existence of HET and SETS, two quite different preservation groups. This is principally because a number of the people in controlling positions in HET previously held controlling positions in SETS prior to June 1997. The two organisations now have very different aims and objectives. Specifically, SETS aims include purchase and operation of privately owned rolling stock, whereas HET does not. HET wishes SETS the best in it's endeavours, and would like to note that SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP of HET is OPEN to ALL MEMBERS of the public, regardless of membership of other organisations. So to answer a commonly asked question, YES you can be a social member of HET AND a member of SETS if you wish.

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