[1][2][3] The Northam-Goomalling Railway Act 1899, an act by the Parliament of Western Australia assented to on 16 December 1899, authorised the construction of the 55-kilometre (34 mi) long railway line from Northam to Goomalling,[5] which was constructed by the Western Australian Public Works Department and officially opened on 1 July 1902.

[6] The Wyalkatchem to Bencubbin branch line had been authorised through the Wyalcatchem-Mount Marshall Railway Act 1912 in December 1912,[9] while the Ejanding Northwards Railway Act 1926 authorised the construction of the spur lines north of Amery, which had its name changed from Ejanding in 1928.

Similarly, the Wyalkatchem to Mukinbudin section of the Southern Cross railway line was also loss-making with an expenditure of £A 79,433 versus earnings of £A 21,965.

[11] From October 1970 to November 1971, The Kalgoorlie, a passenger service between Perth and Kalgoorlie, ran via the Goomalling to West Merredin line as the narrow gauge tracks between East Northam and West Merredin had been closed and replaced by standard gauge tracks.

[13] In 2021, it was estimated that it would cost A$77.6 million to upgrade the Trayning to Merredin section of the railway line to reopen it.