THE community behind the North-East's ambitious rail trail is thinking big.
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That is, well beyond just nearby Scottsdale, where on Sunday residents celebrated the opening of the disused train route turned into a southbound 28 kilometre bike-riding trail.
A culmination of more than five years of work, including some 3000 volunteer hours and an additional $150,000 price tag, resulted from clearing the overgrown path, removing old rail sleepers, crushing, rolling and watering the gravel track and developing interpretive signage.
But at the site of the former Scottsdale railway station - the new trail's starting point not used since TasRail stopped freight services in 2005 - project stalwart Robin Thompson said there were plans to renovate its building to its former glory.
The station that idly sits vandalised would be developed to accommodate food and tourism businesses, restrooms for travellers and as a site to set up free camping spots for caravans and recreational vehicles.
"This is very positive for Scottsdale, very positive for all little towns because history tells us that the outcomes from these rail trails in New Zealand and Victoria have been major economic stimuluses," Mr Thompson said.
"Little towns that have been dead have been revived. "People come and they want excellent food and good accommodation."
The red-rich soils of Scottsdale are far from dead.
The town is still well served from agriculture and farming.
Funding already approved to construct the remaining 40 kilometres to link up the North East with Launceston - with development and land application issues the only hold up - could turn Scottsdale into a focal point for bicycle and camping tourism.
"This is just one piece of the jigsaw," Mr Thompson said.
"We've seen three businesses start with a bike-trail theme."
Lilydale father of three, Nigel Russell, who lives on a property whose boundary backs onto the railway corridor, called the new track "absolutely fantastic".
The former Launceston resident previously had close access to the bike trails which he rode on a daily basis.
"We'd love it if it was extended into Launceston then we'd have access out our back door," Mr Russell said.
"Our kids could ride to the school because it passes close to the local school at Lilydale without having to get onto the road."
Scottsdale mum of two, Rebecca Lancaster, said she would now frequent a 20 kilometre ride three times a week on the new rail trail.
Friends Vicky Cowan and Liz Ling also got caught up in the celebrations yesterday, pedalling 10 kilometres to the trail's opening.