The cessation of railway services was a consequence of the Ash Wednesday bushfires in February 1983, which caused major damage to infrastructure between Sevenhill and Penwortham.

At the start of the 1910s, their cause was championed by Sir Richard Butler, who had briefly been South Australian Premier, and was then Commissioner of Public Works in Archibald Peake's administration.

[3] There were tight curves (15 chains (990 ft; 300 m) radius north of Clare), 1:60 grades, second-hand 60 lb (27 kg) rails, and reinforced concrete bridges that were designed for light axle loading.

When larger locomotives were introduced on the South Australian Railways in 1926, the Spalding line was unable to carry their greater weight.

It attributes its design to Alexander Moncrieff, but the contract drawing[6] is signed by Alex's brother Joseph.

[7] In 1924 the South Australian Railways began using Model 55 Brill petrol railcars to provide passenger services on rural branch-lines, with Clare being the first destination, commencing on 24 February.

Two days earlier, South Australian Premier Sir Henry Barwell hosted a group of officials and members of parliament on a demonstration run to Clare.

In October 1992 the Clare Valley Winemakers Association held a Creative Think Day intended to find a way to distinguish the region's Riesling wine.

In May 1994, two trial sections of The Riesling Trail were officially opened - Sevenhill to Watervale, and Riverton to Rhynie.

The 19 kilometres (12 mi) section from Riverton through Rhynie to Auburn was subsequently redeveloped as the Rattler Rail Trail and opened in 2010.