A West Coast resident told the Mercury there was a lot of talk in the region about the financial management of the state government-funded West Coast Wilderness Railway.The resident also alleged money was not being spent where it should be and questions were being asked about the acquisition of sleepers.“There is only one steam train running and that shouldn’t really be on the tracks. It is only a matter of time before that breaks down. Trains are cancelled regularly because they break down,” he said.A spokesman from the Department of State Growth said the department took “such claims very seriously”.“Given the allegations that have been made, we have commenced a financial investigation by an external auditor to establish the facts of the situation,” he said.“This is the appropriate course of action and we await advice on the outcome of this external investigation.”West Coast Wilderness Railway general manager Anthony Brown said the business was audited externally every year.“We are held to the same high standards as all government entities,” he said. “The government is obliged to follow up on any complaints provided and I welcome this.”Last year the national rail safety regulator investigated a low-speed derailment on February 13 between Regatta Point and Queenstown.The railway said the front wheels of Abt No 5 slipped from the rails but the locomotive and carriages remained on the track.Mr Brown said at the time that the 92 passengers on board were safely returned to Regatta Point and the locomotive was taken to a workshop for inspection.The 2019 state budget included $16m for upgrades to the railway over the next four years.



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