A contest between heritage train enthusiasts and cycling advocates could derail plans to transform the old railway lines from Bombala to Queanbeyan (via Cooma) into the Monaro Rail Trail.
The NSW government introduced a new law in September to make it easier for community groups to take up thousands of kilometres of disused track and turn the old rail corridors into walking and bike paths instead.
At least a dozen rail trails are in the pipeline across the state. Once completed they would allow locals and tourists to walk or ride between towns, passing through tunnels and old railway stations and on restored bridges.