The line opened from Tailem Bend to Pinnaroo on 14 September 1906, being extended to the state border on 29 July 1915.

[6][7] Work on the conversion of the line was delayed until 1996, due to a large grain crop and increased traffic by trains destined for Tocumwal and Yarrawonga in regional Victoria that were on the broad gauge network.

To continue the journey to Adelaide, the grain was transshipped at Tailem Bend.

[9] The last broad gauge train operated on 2 July 1998[10] with the line reopening on 25 November 1998.

[14] The lease of the land and ownership of the rail infrastructure passed to Aurizon in 2022, following their purchase of One Rail Australia (the final successor of Australian Southern Railroad).