I wrote a letter to the Byron Shire Echo editor last week regarding Elements advertising its ‘Solar Train.’ It was not published. My name was used on Page 1 in the latest Echo without any of my information published.
However, Elements’ Jeremy Holme’s ‘statement’ reads as if he is replying to my unpublished comments. I have been misquoted by Element’s Jeremy Holmes using the information in my letter to The Echo – as if it were his information. I would like an apology from the Echo for this.
I have further questions. As I have continually asked for solid facts from Elements regarding its July 2014 announcement of its solar train, I still fail to see them.
I have been in business. If I were installing a train system involving millions of dollars I would know exactly where the project was headed with dates for completion, costs for labour and costs for infrastructure.
Jeremy is still using vague terms, no dates and no facts. I referred to the GM of Lithgow Mining Railway in letters over a year ago after speaking with him and him saying it was possible to convert this train to solar. That is old news.
Jeremy Holmes, I have questions.
- You say ‘technically feasible to implement now.’ Will these electric engines [and ‘necessary components and materials’] be operational when the service starts in Byron in April of 2017?
This is a YES or NO answer.
- My understanding is that the curved solar panels pictured on the train in last week’s Echo are for low power generation only. Are the panels on the train right now or was the image photoshopped?
- Is there sufficient power in the proposed batteries to run the train in its proposed 56 trips per day [four trips per hour, 14 hours a day] ?
- ‘Batteries and their charging off the grid supply are being designed…’ This is a new development. If ‘solar-charged batteries’ are charged off the ‘grid supply,’ they are not solar charged. They are using normal power, generated by burning coal elsewhere.
- Are the platforms and sheds designed to support the heavy solar arrays?
- ‘The project has the support of Transport for NSW.’ Exactly what support is Elements receiving from Transport for NSW? Is it the same support I get from Transport of NSW when I catch a train to Sydney?
I challenge Jeremy Holmes to reply in this forum and not hide behind media releases.
Lee Cass, Byron Bay
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
