Responding to The Herald's front-page report yesterday about the likely re-emergence of a very fast train plan before the federal election, a number of experienced decision-makers said they believed in the concept.

They said, however, that the public had a right to be cynical after so many similar promises went nowhere.

With the Federal Government under continuing pressure to find a site for a second Sydney airport, Williamtown apparently remains on the drawing board as an overflow for Mascot, provided a fast train is available to span the distance.

Newcastle Airport chief executive Paul Hughes said that whatever option the Federal Government took for a second Sydney airport, a transport link between the eventual site and the city had to be a part of the debate.

Lake Macquarie Mayor and state MP, Greg Piper, said Australians needed to re-imagine the future.

"Australians have lost the ability to imagine grand infrastructure," Cr Piper said.

"If we had the current political environment in the early 1900s we would never have gone ahead with the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

"We are facing very substantial population increases in this area and we need to have the infrastructure to accommodate them."

Hunter Development Corporation chairman Paul Broad said while the HDC was not involved in a fast train project he supported the concept "passionately".

Both men said Glendale was the ideal place for a fast train to stop on a journey between Sydney and Williamtown.

Cr Piper said there was "virtually no progress" with the State Government over funding for the long-awaited Glendale interchange.

"Early on there was every indication they were supportive but if they were serious about funding it they need to have a whole of government approach and not just leave it to shuffle between individual departments," Cr Piper said.

"I'd love a very fast train but maybe what we need first is an RFT a reasonably fast train."