The line was built by the Commonwealth Railways as a standard gauge line being opened on 6 October 1972 by Prime Minister William McMahon.
[2][3] Current operations along the line include regular Steel and rail maintenance trains operated by Pacific National, along with Iron Ore and Ballast trains operated by Aurizon.
When it opened, the line was served by a daily passenger service from Adelaide to Whyalla operated by CB class railcars.
[4] On 21 April 1986, the service was reintroduced as the Iron Triangle Limited.
It was withdrawn on 31 December 1990 when Australian National withdrew all its South Australian passenger services.