[3] The Crookwell district north of Goulburn is rich and productive agricultural land, with a high annual rainfall.

Various routes and proposals were considered, including the option of a tramway as a feeder to the Main South railway.

From 1884, public meetings were held and deputations were made, with a survey of the proposed route taking place,[4] but not until 1899 did the NSW Parliament finally pass a Bill for the construction of the Crookwell line.

[5][6] The major engineering feature was a heavy (and expensive) steel lattice bridge over the Wollondilly River to the north of Goulburn.

The last passenger train to operate on the line was hauled by steam locomotives 3001 and 3102 on 25 August 1985 with both being turned on Crookwell's turntable.

The Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway group has been maintaining what is left of the lines infrastructure and sleeper replacement.