The NSW Upper House has just passed legislation to close 21 kilometres of unused line between Rosewood and Tumbarumba south of Wagga Wagga so it can be opened up as the first rail trail on a government corridor.

And the government has given the Snowy Valleys Council and the Riverina Highlands Rail Trail group $4.8 million to get it up and running.

Closer to home a group wants to open the 58-kilometre section of closed railway line corridor between Molong and Yeoval for a rail trail so people can walk, ride a bike or hop on a horse for weekend excursions.

But besides having to get government approval, Cabonne Shire Council wasn’t convinced of the benefits after copping complaints from adjoining landholders, so the plan went cold.

Just think if the rail trail is approved.

We could strap on the backpack, fill the water bottle and head off from Molong to Cumnock and Yeoval for a coffee or cold beer and a sandwich.

We could make friends with the cockies along the way before walking back home, kicking a ball or counting the sleepers, knowing we’ve helped turn the old railway line into a sustainable tourist attraction.         

And there’s lots of scenery to see. Old 1920 railway bridges, rusty cars dumped in paddocks, cows and sheep and ramshackle farm sheds. What better way to spend a weekend?

THE Beatles are in the news again for the 50th anniversary of the release of their Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and that brings back memories of the Mop Tops’ visit to Australia in June, 1964.

Then a keen journo at the Central Western Daily and believing anything was possible, I hit on the idea of inviting the Beatles to visit Fairbridge Farm to meet the English kids who needed something to brighten their lives.

Sub-editor Barry Duncan reckoned it was a great idea and said to have a crack but didn’t hold out much chance of success.

Telling a few fibs to the receptionist at the Sheraton Hotel to be put through to The Beatles’ suite was an initial victory, followed by getting to talk to their manager Brian Epstein who answered the call.

He listened and politely explained there was no time in the band’s itinerary to visit Fairbridge but said to tell the kids The Beatles wished them well. That was duly done.

So was that some sort of a win, or what? I reckon it was.

THE best travel-tourism show on TV is back so if you want to see a big part of Europe at its best, tune in to the SBS coverage of the Tour de France each night.

You get an amazing birds-eye view of the countryside and the Alps, the villages and towns and the 12th century castles and churches as the cameras and a helicopter follow the cyclists through France.

We’ve already seen part of Germany and Belgium and the first French legs of the 3,540 kilometre tour before it finishes in Paris on July 23.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not a cycling fan, the scenery is amazing.