Joan Dawson, a member of Save Our Rail, the organisation working to have the rail decision overturned, said the rail cut would affect the people who relied on public transport most.

“We just take it for granted that you can grab your surf board, get on the train and go to the beach, join with mates and have a day out,” she wrote in a letter to the Mercury.

“The older people may use it to get to the specialist or visit friends, or simply have a day out, maybe a jaunt to Stockton on the ferry.

“It’s easy, the train takes you to Newcastle station or Civic and it’s a short walk to where you want to go.”

The state government has begun an environmental impact study on the affects proposed light rail into Newcastle, which would replace the train service.

But no timeframe has been identified for light rail to be established.

Commuters will change from trains to buses at Broadmeadow station to get into Newcastle CBD until the light rail network is built.

“Elderly or disabled [people] will have difficulty with the transfer and the young mates might find they are not allowed to bring the surfboard onto the bus,” Ms Dawson wrote.

“Many use a bike in conjunction with a train trip and there will be a problem for them in catching a bus also.”

Ms Dawson described the proposed Wickham transport interchange as “a carport on steroids”.

“Rail service is one reason people choose to live where we live and our way of life is being changed forever,” she said.

The Mercury has received an overwhelming response in recent weeks from readers who want the rail line into Newcastle CBD to remain open.

Premier Mike Baird has ruled out delaying the rail closure until after the March election.

The line will close between Wickham and Newcastle from Boxing Day.