Part 1: The Rail and the Lamb - Allan and Faye Simpson - Friends of Bombala Railway #135
Bombala Railway’s Uncertain Future
Part 1: The Rail and the Lamb - Allan and Faye Simpson - Friends of Bombala Railway #135
Bombala Railway’s Uncertain Future - by Chris Chan
Many years ago, in a land far far away - There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and the other was poor. The rich man had a great many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing—nothing but one little lamb, which he raised with his own hands. It ate from his plate, drank from his cup, and slept in his arms like a daughter. But when the rich man needed to prepare a feast, he did not take from his own flock. No, he took the poor man’s lamb and slaughtered it.
Bombala has had its lamb. A railway, nursed and protected by the hands of its people. Cared for, preserved, fought for—not by the powerful, not by the wealthy, but by ordinary men and women who have given it life. For over a decade, Allan and Faye Simpson and the Friends of Bombala Railway have toiled, unpaid, largely unrecognized, preserving history for a future they believed in.
And yet, now, as a specific Gang of councillors turns its gaze toward a new feast, a new vision, the railway is set to be torn from their hands. Not by progress. Not by necessity. But by choice. And like the rich man in Nathan’s parable, they have decided—the poor man’s lamb will be theirs.
This is more than a rail line. This is a test of history. Of justice. Of what it means to honor those who have built before us. And today, we tell the story of those who have been wronged.
They say history is written by the victors. But what happens when history is stolen? When those who have toiled, preserved, and fought for something are told—without consultation, without consideration—that their work, their passion, their history will be erased?
This is not just a story about a railway. This is a story about broken trust, about a community blindsided, and about a council that has made its decision before listening to its people. A decision that could see decades of heritage ripped from the ground—rails torn up, replaced by a cycling track that many say Bombala never asked for, never needed, and never wanted.
But the fight isn’t over. Today, we sit down with Allan and Faye Simpson—the heartbeat of the Friends of Bombala Railway—to hear their side of the story. We uncover the years of struggle, the council’s silence, and the environmental dangers lurking beneath the surface of this so-called ‘progress.’ And we ask the hard questions.
"Welcome to Monaro Zone. This is ‘The Rail and the Lamb.’"
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Thank you for joining us on this journey.
We have heard the voices of those who have fought—not for wealth, not for power, but for history, for heritage, for the soul of a town. Allan and Faye Simpson, and the Friends of Bombala Railway, have given years of their lives to preserve what so many others had forgotten and neglected. And now, as council moves forward with its plans, they are left to ask the question: was it all for nothing?"
Locals that just want to save something for future generations.
Progress should never come at the cost of erasing the past. A town is more than just a line on a map; it is the sum of its people, its history, and its stories. Yet, from the council chambers in Cooma, we see a decision that disregards those who have given so much to keep their town's history alive.
A Book of wisdom warns us: ‘Do not punish the poor for being poor.’ And yet, isn't that exactly what we see here? Volunteers who worked with their own hands, with their own money, with nothing but love for their town—now facing the reality that their efforts may be swept aside in favor of a plan they never agreed to.
This is more than a railway. This is a warning. When decisions are made without community consultation, when history is treated as disposable, when the voices of the people are ignored—who will be next?"
Thank you again for joining us on Monaro Zone. This was Part One ‘The Rail and the Lamb.’ Stay tuned for Part 2.
Stay safe, stand for truth, and never stop fighting for what’s right.
Share this article, spread the word, and demand change. The truth belongs to all of us, but only if we have the courage to claim it. Together, we can shine a light on the shadows of governance and bring accountability back from the brink. But remember... the next move isn’t up to them. It’s up to you. Because in the Snowy Monaro, transparency isn’t just a policy—it’s the difference between light and dark.