Traditional owners

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

Development and future of the rail trail

The NSW Government has advised that Council may lease the non-operational rail corridor between Rylstone and Gulgong, via Lue and Mudgee, for the purpose of a rail trail. To ensure Council is meeting the needs of our community, it is seeking your feedback on this opportunity.

Council is seeking community input on the future use of the non-operational rail corridor between Rylstone and Gulgong. Feedback will guide Council’s planning, advocacy, and consideration of options such as a rail trail.

This consultation responds to community priorities identified in Council’s Community Strategic Plan, which highlighted the need for further engagement on the corridor’s future. Community views will help shape Council’s decisions and inform discussions with the NSW Government.

As a result of the Council’s recent survey, this project was shown to have a good lot of community support, and as a result the Council is now seeking funding of $50,000 to do a feasibility study.

Rail line history 

The Gwabegar branch runs from Wallerwawang on the Main Western Line north to the locality of Gwabegar. It was opened progressively from 1882 to 1923.

The section from Kandos to Gulgong was closed on March 2, 1992, however this was re-opened for traffic on September 2, 2000.

The section between Kandos and Rylstone remains open for occasional heritage trains, but the rest of the line between Rylstone and Gwabegar has subsequently been out of use for more than 25 years.

The lower section, from Kandos to Wallerawang sees occasional cement traffic and regular coal trains, from the collieries at Charbon and Baal Bone.