The Semaphore line was extended from Port Adelaide by South Australian Railways on 7 January 1878 with no intermediate stations.

After a short period of time, the Municipal Tramways Trust continued full service along the line regardless of not having the rail commissioner's consent.

In response to this rail workers threatened to cut the tramline off by dumping a load of sleepers on the tramway tracks.

The original rail track has since been dismantled, with only the large median strip along Semaphore Road remaining.

[1] The midpoint of the line was Exeter station, which was located to the east side of where Swan Terrace and Woolnough Road intersect.