Progress continues on exciting rail trail.

Thousands of hours of work by volunteers and Work for the Dole participants are transforming the Wodonga to Sandy Creek rail trail into simply the best in Victoria.

The trail is being developed on the former Wodonga to Cudgewa rail line, dismantled after being closed in 1981.

parklands have been appointed manager of the rail reserve from the Kiewa River to Old Tallangatta.

The Wodong-Cudgewa Rail Trail Advisory Committee, responsible for first stage development of the trail, has already prepared a strategic development plan. The second development stage with be form Sandy Creek to Old Tallangatta.

Funds already committed to the project include $40,000 from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment for bridge safety work between Wodonga and Tallangatta and $5,000 for administrative purposes; $20,000 from the Natural Heritage Trust for revegetation from the Kiewa River to Sandy Creek; $3,540 from Parks Victoria for Bonegilla siding renovation and a $500 Advisory Committee started-up grant; and $ 1,000 from Rancho Holdings PTY Ltd, of Wodonga, to help meet grader fuel costs.

The trail has been cleared from Ludlows Reserve to the embankment at "Denham Park" prior to grading and rolling. Bonegilla CFA Arranged a fuel reduction burn.

Huon enthusiasts have cleared the trail from Huon North almost to Fulford Bridge. An Indigo Way grader leveled a 2km section north from Huon Station and working bees have focused on Huon Station surrounds.

Work for the Dole crews have concentrated on trail cleanup between Pollards Road and Fulford Bridge, including weed control for 10km and tree and regrowth clearing. Crews erected 'cockies gates', cleaned up Bonegilla siding, replaced decking on Fulford Bridge and participated in fuel reduction burning.

Mark Byatt, from National Skills Centre at Wodonga Institute of TAFE, removed sleepers and tree stumps from Bonegilla siding and smoothed ballast for 500m from Bonegilla Siding towards Pollards Road.