[1][2] E. V. H. Keane had commenced construction in 1887 and the line was largely complete by late 1888, but financial difficulties delayed the opening for several years.

[2] A few months prior, the South Western Railway opened between Pinjarra and Bunbury, absorbing the Bunbury-Picton section of the Boyanup line.

[2] Bridgetown remained the terminus for a number of years, however the first section of the Donnybrook-Katanning railway, to Noggerup, was built by the Public Works Department and opened on 26 March 1908.

[2] The Northcliffe line was next extended to Jardee (originally called Jarnadup), with the Public Works Department-built section opening on 14 June 1911.

[5][3] The line from Jardee to Pemberton was constructed by the Public Works Department and opened as a State Saw Mills tramway on 20 January 1914.

[2][6] The Public Works Department built the line at significant cost to navigate the terrain, making it the most expensive railway per mile in the state when it officially opened on 27 November 1933.

[13] From here, the line climbs through the Preston River Valley to Donnybrook and traverses a mix of agricultural and forested land south to Manjimup.

The section from Pemberton to Northcliffe through dense karri forests and over several bridges is on the State Register of Heritage Places and considered the most scenic part of the line.

[15] Previously, the company operated passenger services along its entire section of the line, with steam-hauled trains Pemberton-Lyall and diesel trams Pemberton-Northcliffe.

However, several towns have preserved their stations, potentially re-purposing them for other uses: There are currently no freight services on the line, with only the first 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in use as part of Picton Yard.

[23] It is hoped that the reopened line would support the carriage of other goods, such as mineral sands, agricultural produce and timber.