Surely, if they are so committed to saving the so-called Great Northern Railway one would imagine they would be out there supporting the present service, instead of roaring down the highway in their 4-wheel drives.

Rather than putting their futile efforts into unrealistic schemes they would be better off trying to preserve what we already have before it, too, goes the way of the Poles and Wires, the TAFE system and local government.

On nights when I can count on one hand the number of passengers left in my carriage or on the connecting bus to Tenterfield, I wonder for how much longer the public will be able to depend on this vital service.

So take down those recently erected crude, ugly signs calling for us to “Save our Great Northern Railway” and to say “No to the Rail Trail”.

Not only are they a blot on our lovely landscape, they are simply to no avail, and no doubt contravene the conditions of lease.

Does anyone genuinely believe that any government will restore the rusting rails and rotting sleepers on that stretch of disused line?

We will never have another rail service north of Armidale, but we could have a facility that would allow many young people and families to enjoy a healthy, safe lifestyle.

After all, the land belongs to the people, not a handful of graziers, so let us take advantage of it before it, too, is sold off.

We can support both the present rail service and the proposed Rail Trail. They are not mutually exclusive; indeed, one would complement the other.

Barbara Ross

Black Mountain