[2] The Makareao Branch followed approximately 15 years later, with the four kilometres (2.5 mi) of track constructed by the Public Works Department and opened on 31 March 1900.

When the Otago Central was opened to Ranfurly in 1898, the Dunback Branch was deprived of its wider importance, and it was relegated to catering for solely local traffic.

[1] The 1900 opening of the Makareao Branch significantly added to traffic on the line, with large quantities of limestone transported by rail.

[1] In 1950, five trains operated a week, and with non-limestone traffic dwindling it was inevitable that the Dunback section would be closed and services concentrated on Makareao.

Declining demand led to the closure of the Burnside Cement Works in December 1988, removing the limestone traffic that was the line's livelihood.

Bridges, abutments, culverts and the formation are very visible for the entire length of the route, some railway gates and mile/kilometre pegs are still in place, and even a few rails remain.

In Makareao, Taylor's Lime continue to operate the works for agricultural production, and substantial railway remnants exist.