Sad Anzac Day to see train tracks ripped up by Tweed Shire Council. Fathers of our Anzacs built, with bullock teams, the line that opened in 1894 between Murwillumbah and Casino
At the time, there was no such thing as the dole and so many people had no work. Building the train track put food on the tables of Australians and people from Ireland, China etc…
There were men who lost their lives while building that train track. What a disgrace and a total waste of extremely valuable rail infrastructure, owned by the people of NSW, to rip it up for a bike path and sell the steel overseas. Come on Tweed Shire Council and North Coast politicians – WAKE UP!
Go for it Marie . It is a waste of a useful resource. The lines are above the flood . Those old engineers were smart building it. They had to be . No dozers or tractors or cranes back then. It’s all mostly still there . The raised embankments , tunnels and tracks are all still there . Above the flood . Where they’ve always been. Would be easy to have a bike track beside it so everyone’s happy. Commuter service plus a slower tourist service . Weekend Jaz band and dining from casino to muwillumbah. Paddle steamers on the rivers . Plenty of people would like that. . So many music festivals being built up here ,, turn it into a travelling music festival then they’ll fix it . Seriously tho, we need the trains back . Byron has got its solar train . Why can’t they fix up the whole line .
Wood is a renewable resource. Steam Trains!
I dunno – maybe the ANZACs would be pleased to see this beautiful hinterland, that they naively thought they were fighting for, opened up again for all to enjoy again via a fabulous rail trail. Enough of the selective patriotism – you know what Samuel Johnson had to say about that.
Rail trail with a train . Yes . I’m there . Hahaha . Steam , solar, diesal , electric , draught horse , as long as I can ride on it and look at the view . Wave to the push bikes and shanks pony . Lovely .
Here !Here! Marie….. a wasted resource
Liz you could take your bike on the train….and, no , i dont know what Samuel Johnson had to say about selective patriotism
I don’t quite understand why I’d need my bike if I was on the train. 🤔 My point johnnyboy, was that after nearly two decades of the loss of this hinterland gateway, at least some of the ANZACS might have thought it a good idea to make a great new use of this public asset. By all accounts (CW Bean in particular) they were rugged, athletic, outdoor types!
I love trains, and from a perfectly selfish point of view, would like nothing more than to sit back and enjoy the countryside moving slowly by. Having a time-limited service would be fine too because I have few time pressures, can use another means to get to essential services not on the track, and can enjoy the whole pleasant jaunt for $2.50 for the complete day out.
If I thought there was any justification in the initial and ongoing expenditure this would entail, it would be in seeing it diverted to a new, realigned service that would meet the needs of the changed demographics of at least the 21st century. No good wasting money on yesterday’s solutions. Think NBN
As for Samual Johnson, you could always Google it mate!