Gary Dean, one of three Ned Kellys in full metal gear, had gathered with almost 100 townspeople and flagged down the train to protest the failure to include Glenrowan as a scheduled stop in multi-million dollar plans to convert the broad gauge track to standard gauge.

Mr Dean, who operates the town’s Cobb and Co store, believes it will cost nothing to redesign the new northbound track to move it the two metres required to bring it in line with the existing Glenrowan platform.

Alternatively, he said a branch line and switching point could be constructed at a cost of about $1 million.

Mr Dean said locals were also considering seeking Federal Government funding for the reconstruction of a replica timber platform to align with the existing south-bound line where a branch line already exists.

He said the “hold-up” had given locals the chance to create a photo opportunity for passengers on the steam train, raise the profile of their cause and speak with former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer, a passenger on the train and chairman of the Rail Freight Network Review Committee.

Mr Fischer said he supported moves to build a platform at Glenrowan, citing the desire of locals to encourage more Ned Kelly-related tourism in the region.

Mr Dean said Mr Fischer had been supportive in advising the bid to return the rail service to Glenrowan.