By the early 1850s timber leases were made available and mill towns emerged, including at Lune River, Ramsgate, Hastings and Leprena.

The purpose was to transport limestone from a quarry at Marble Hill just south of Hastings Cave to a jetty at Brick Point, Ida Bay.

The limestone was then loaded onto river ships, taken to Electrona in North-West Bay south of Hobart and used in the preparation of calcium carbide.

[9] Little has been done to prevent further deterioration of the line, rolling stock and buildings and urgent maintenance and restoration of this heritage listed railway is needed.

The Ida Bay Railway Preservation Society Inc was formed and in December 2020 reached an agreement with the government to restore the line.