Much of the line from Gawler to Penrice remained open up until June 2014 (passenger services had ceased much earlier in December 1968).

The last ARHS special to operate past Penrice Junction was on 20 September 1981, when Rx 207 worked to Stockwell.

Remaining rollingstock between Penrice Junction and Stockwell was cleared during February 1990; with that section of line also being closed and later taken up.

[10] From November 1996, the adelaide suburban rail operator TransAdelaide introduced a trial Sundays only service to Nuriootpa.

These services ceased by April 2003 with the last passenger train on the line being a National Railway Museum Angaston charter on 7 November 2004.

[18] There have been constant proposals and calls for the line to be reopened for either passenger or tourist purposes but no plan has yet been acted upon.