A group of rail enthusiasts and business people are writing a compelling business case to convince KiwiRail it can operate the Napier to Gisborne network that was mothballed last year.
The group met at a forum at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Napier office yesterday, where it agreed it would work towards establishing a public/private consortium to lease and operate the railway.
The first task of the "Consortium Steering Group" would be to produce a business case for presentation to KiwiRail chief Jim Quinn.
Forum organiser Ken Crispin said the business case would promote the concept of using the track primarily for freight, then for passenger tourism. It would include groups such as the Gisborne City Vintage Rail Trust, which had an interest in using the line.
"It is also important that we work in co-operation with both KiwiRail and other businesses to get the best solution for our community.