One of New South Wales’ few remaining large railway yards has been put up for sale, with locals pushing for state and federal government intervention to reinvigorate the rail industry.

Lithgow’s locomotive workshop, owned by Pacific National and reported to have an asking price of $35m, includes maintenance pit bays and outbuildings. It was ceded to the freight operator in 2003 when the state privatised its freight services and has been little-used since.

Now, former railway workers, the local council and transport experts are fighting for the site to be revitalised. Lithgow is the last stop on Sydney’s electrified rail network and the start of inland freight routes, and the yard could deliver jobs and innovation to the regional hub, the proponents say.

Lithgow’s mayor, Cass Coleman, wh

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