The original line was built in 1871 as a private 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge railway that opened between Deloraine and Launceston to ship agricultural products to port for Victorian markets.

The line once had a large number of stopping stations and sidings, used when passenger and common goods services were operated by the Tasmanian Government Railways.

The Hunter's Mill viaduct is situated between Western Junction and Perth, where the line crosses the Main Road which previously formed part of the Midland Highway, before the town was bypassed in 2018.

Several cuttings and underpasses allow the line to bisect the Bass Highway, and sidings remains at Westbury and Deloraine, where a passing loop and coloured signals allow for traffic to wait at the river crossing.

With exception from old level crossing gates, two old semaphore signals at a local bowling club and a shopping area named "Station Square", no remains exist of the former line in Latrobe.