 The line carried its first coal in February 1910, with Baldwin-built 4-6-0 locomotive W 227 given the honour of hauling the first train from the Powlett coalfield.As well as passenger and general goods stations to service the rapidly growing town of Wonthaggi, connections were provided to the State Mine (on the up side of Wonthaggi) and to later additional mine extensions at Dudley and Kirrak.The mine's production grew rapidly and at its peak in 1926 produced per day, with Victorian Railways buying 90% of production.