[2] In 1872, tin was discovered at Stanthorpe, but disagreement over the route to be taken through Warwick resulted in the approval to extend the line not being given until 1877.

The difficult terrain south of Warwick required two tunnels, one through solid rock, which took two years to excavate, and the line opened to Stanthorpe on 3 May 1881.

The first passenger trains between Brisbane and Sydney ran on 16 January 1888, when the New South Wales Main Northern line opened.

[5][6] Trains operated via Gowrie Junction on the Western line until 1915 when the Drayton Deviation opened, shaving 30 minutes off journey times.

It left the Southern railway just south of Warwick station to initially reach Thane and then Dirranbandi more than 400 km to the west.

In December 1910 the Roessler railway station was established at the 200 miles (320 km) point between Thulimbah and Stanthorpe.

[7] In September 1916 it was renamed Applethorpe railway station due to anti-German sentiment during World War I.

The Parlour Car was transferred to the Townsville Mail in 1930 following the opening of the Standard Gauge line to Brisbane.