A PLAN to revitalise the disused rail line between Kandos and Rylstone is currently waiting on a decision from the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Andrew Constance.
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The proposal by Lithgow State Mine Railway Limited and Kandos Museum is to develop two tourist rail trips around the disused stations at Rylstone, Kandos and Clandulla.
Chairperson of Lithgow State Mine Railway Michael Wilson said it would be great to get something on the old Mudgee line which had its beginnings back in 1882.
A trial run from Lithgow was held in Febuary and Mr Wilson was confident of the state of the tracks in the seven-kilometre section between Kandos and Rylstone to make it a major attraction for the two small towns.
A day trip starting from Lithgow would give passengers a unique perspective, Mr Wilson said.
“The main feature is the spectacular views of the Capertee Valley that are not well seen from the main road.”
Support was given to the project from Mid-Western Regional Council at their May 18, 2016 monthly meeting.
“Lithgow is adjacent to the Sydney basin and marks the end of the electric train service,” president of the Kandos Museum, Buzz Sanderson told the meeting.
“If you’ve got a seniors card $2.50 will get you from the capture zone of essentially Newcastle to Wollongong to Lithgow and return in a day.
“So Lithgow would be a pretty good place to start with a train exercise and our partners actually live there.”
He said the recent success of the Kandos Explorer and Rylstone Rambler confirm there is a market for the day trips.
“Capture out of the Sydney basin taking a ride to Kandos and Rylstone and back could be a day trip, could be an overnight,” he said.
“If you’re in Mudgee then you might want to take a little joy ride essentially Rylstone - Kandos - Rylstone.”
Transport NSW has agreed to consider an application for a heritage operation license on the section.
The museum and Lithgow State Mine Railway Limited are seeking Transport NSW make the line operational and hand over maintenance to contractor John Holland.
“What we can do is we can go on to make that heritage precinct a tourist attraction and we think that that will bring opportunity and income to Kandos and Rylstone which are a bit hard pressed at present and also be of benefit to the wider LGAs of Mid-Western and Lithgow,” Mr Sanderson said.
Mid-Western Regional Council has committed to sending a letter of support to local MPs Troy Grant and Paul Toole, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance and Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro on the plan.
