I was at the large Maitland rally to save our only beach city and its most critical six minutes of rail in NSW.  

A group from Scone included our citizen of a recent year, Fred Gardiner.  

Reviewing the cavernous shed proposal at Wickham, we joined a unanimous resistance, for reasons very clear to anyone who’s seen it. 

People along our shoreline walk and during our journeys supported our banner “Don’t sell Newcastle short” by waving and yelling “I agree”.  

A Muswellbrook man, boarder and cyclist, said his beach visits would stop if the rail stops. Same here.

It sure is comfortable, easy, quick and very grand to pull into this great station in the train.       

It is the visitor experience like no other. Tourists adore the place.

If ICAC can get there before our paid servants, and the rail stays, Newcastle may still have its crowds at New Year Fireworks.  

Its planned international sports meet on the eastern shores in early 2015 would have a chance of success.   

Our youth from Upper Hunter and towns on the four rail lines could still take boards and bikes to the ocean shore this summer, for a safe day out.   

The tourism economy would thrive not die.

If you want the chance to keep Newcastle as your family’s free playground, talk to the media with copies of your letters to relevant ministers.   

But above all, get on the 10.09am from Muswellbrook now, and ride into that stately station for a beautiful day around the beaches.