Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Nganyaywana, Ngarabal, and Gumbainggir people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail will be built.

Development and future of the rail trail

Many years of lobbying by the local New England Rail Trail community group and rail trail support groups have seen the 103 km Armidale to Glen Innes section identified as one of three pilot rail trails that would be supported by the NSW Government.

A feasibility study for the Armidale to Glen Innes section was completed in 2018 and a business case in 2019. In February 2020 Armidale Council allocated funds for design and to look at a management structure. It is hoped Glen Innes Council will shortly do the same.

Rail line history 

The Main North line extends from Sydney to the Queensland border at Wallangarra.

It once was the main line to Queensland, with a break-of-gauge at the border. Now the North Coast Line now provides a standard gauge line to Brisbane, and the Main North is disused beyond Armidale.

The section from Sydney to Maitland forms part of the main northern trunk line, and carries various sorts of freight and passenger trains. From Maitland to Armidale, freight dominates, especially coal from the Hunter Valley coalfields. Nevertheless, daily Explorer passenger trains still run from Sydney to Armidale.

Lines to the northwest branch off at the major rail location of Werris Creek.