The Federal Government has called for tenders for an 18-month feasibility study into the abandoned Maldon-Dombarton railway line.The $3 million study will investigate the demand for and cost of completing the line, which would link the Illawarra to south-western Sydney, as well as assessing existing infrastructure and engineering requirements.An independent consultant is expected to be appointed by the end of the year, before the 18-month study kicks off on January 1.Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan visited Wollongong in July to announce $3 million for the study into the rail line, which was abandoned in 1988 despite millions of dollars being spent on approach viaducts of a bridge over the Nepean River, and work on the Avon tunnel.