the matter of a line between newcastle and bolgart was first raised in 1897. a number of state governments promised the construction of the line starting with the james government, the line again promised by the rason government. the labor government then surveyed the line; this was followed with the moore government letting contracts for construction. at the sod turning ceremony quinlan noted that the line from clackline had not been a financial success but that opening this section would improve its fortunes.