https://www.blayneychronicle.com.au/story/5402759/in-the-states-hand/?cs=521

The line’s been checked and the report’s been written and handed over, and now the fate of the Blayney–Demondrille rail line is in the hands of the NSW state government.

A new report.  Im hoping the new report has positive economics, otherwise this will go the same way as the previous reports...

Also see https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/case-strengthens-for-rail-line-reopening

If the Blayney to Demondrille line was reopened, which way would be the preferred way to travel?
I ask this because I wonder if any problems may be seen to exist with freight between Lithgow and the Metro area.
Much emphasis has been made in routing nearly all Western Freight via the South and not over the Mountains.
Where the South has seen lots of track work done including that Freight Only Line from MacArthur into the metro, the Blue mountains have actually been reduced by the removal of a refuge siding at Springwood being removed and  points never being replaced at the Lgw end of the UP refuge at Mt Victoria.

If the Blayney to Demondrille line was reopened, which way would be the preferred way to travel?
I ask this because I wonder if any problems may be seen to exist with freight between Lithgow and the Metro area.
Much emphasis has been made in routing nearly all Western Freight via the South and not over the Mountains.
Where the South has seen lots of track work done including that Freight Only Line from MacArthur into the metro, the Blue mountains have actually been reduced by the removal of a refuge siding at Springwood being removed and  points never being replaced at the Lgw end of the UP refuge at Mt Victoria.

I don't think we would see use of these lines for that.  Its just too far, and also, the Parkes Stockinbingal line probably provides some connection for that area.

The Main West needs work to improve its freight service ability but that would be a separate project.

Central West (esp Bathurst and Orange) traffic to Melbourne might be something that could be interesting, but might need a short line operator to get it to Harden to link with MS services if they are not large enough volumes in their own right.

Line closed for ten years. Operators are accustomed to using road transport.
Not happening, in my view. LVR moved movable stock from Cowra when they had the opportunity.
See Mudgee line,  Murwiiliambah.
Any business case that includes inland rail, will put the stop blocks on this.
As for short line operations apart from port shuttles, SFA.
Rocks and seeds, sea cans and lots of them, otherwise rubber tired trains.

This line closed because of lack of traffic. It reopened and was closed again because of lack of traffic. I recently travelled the area, I would not call the track 'good'. I am a bit mystified by the comment that LVR was prevented from using the track during its last opening. I can't see this project being cash flow positive. The line between Cowra and Blayney is through hilly country, that between Cowra and Harden is flatter and straighter. Maybe just reopen Cowra to Harden and see what traffic it gets? In steam days it was mostly fertiliser, grains and stock, but the branch lines out into the grain country are all well and truly closed and now unusable.
In the 1960s it was a busy line, and able to support 36 class locos. it is sad to see it rotting away for want of traffic.
I travelled over it on a diverted Inter Capital Daylight Express, crossing the Southern Aroura and Spirit of Progress between Cowra and Blayney. All three trains had double 44s for power, no GMs sadly.

Neill Farmer