The Main Line Railway between Hobart and Launceston was built by the Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company (TMLR) and was officially opened on the 1st of November 1876.
From its inception, the line was known as the Main Line and carried this title until around 1978 when Australian National renamed it the South Line. In its 125-year history, the line has deviated only slightly from its original alignment. In the Midlands, North of Antill Ponds, the line roughly parallels the highway as they both follow the agriculturally rich valleys formed by the Macquarie and South Esk rivers.
“The Main Line Railway goes through Ross, as does the main road; and several bye-roads, such as the Macquarie, Auburn, one to the eastward, Mona Vale-road, etc., join it at various points near. The traffic is wool, wattle bark, stock, skins, and stone outwards; stores and merchandise inwards.” -Mercury Saturday 29th November 1884.
The Main Line afforded ordinary people the ability to travel for holidays or pleasure and trips were a real occasion to dress up – many wore formal hats and suits and dined in the buffet car or in the refreshment rooms in Parattah – apparently famous for ‘cool tea and warm beer’.
“The new hotel and refreshment room at the principal stopping station on the Main Line Railway may now be considered complete… For many years past the small building occupied by Mr. Johnson has been totally inadequate to the demands made upon it, both in regard to the supply of refreshments for every passing trainload of people, and in the matter of accommodation…” -The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.: 1860 – 1954) Mon 7 Oct 1889.
Further development of Tasmanian railway lines continued through the 1890s – 1960s in line with mining speculation and development, however this was not without its challenges. At times, parts of the line were subject to flooding. One such event caused considerable damage to the track in 1905:
“This is the fifth day of almost incessant rain, and the floods everywhere are the worst for many years. Railway traffic between Hobart and Launceston has been blocked, several chains of the line having been washed away. Repairs cannot be effected until the floods subside… Passengers by the express from Hobart and Launceston this morning have been returned from Ross to Paratah.” – The Bendigo Independent, Friday 2nd June 1905, page 3.
In 1943, the Ross Railway Station had a small upgrade to include a canteen that supplied food and beverages for travelling servicemen.
“The A.C.F. canteen at Ross Railway Station was officially opened yesterday afternoon. Erected by the Australian Comforts Fund, it supplies, without charge, to travelling servicemen hot coffee, hot pies, and cakes, as well as cigarettes and chewing gum. It is serviced by women members of the Ross branch of the A.C.F., of which Mrs. G. Keach is president. The official opening was performed by the Warden of Ross (Mr. F. Dowling).“ -Saturday Evening Express (Launceston, Tas. :1924 – 1954) Sat 18th September 1943.
Ten years later, in 1953, the introduction of articulated rail cars reduced travelling time from Hobart to Launceston to four and a half hours. Following this, locomotive-hauled carriages were built at Launceston, offering very comfortable, leisurely travel between Wynyard, Launceston, and Hobart until the 1970s, when (with more cars on the road) railway patronage started to decline. Unfortunately, there was insufficient revenue being generated to warrant upgrading the passenger trains. As a result, the last passenger train from Wynyard to Hobart ran on 18 July 1978.
The commonwealth government’s Australian National Railways assumed control of the Tasmanian Government Railways the same year. The new administration began the process of modernising the system, which included the importation of very powerful diesel-electric locomotives from Queensland. In an overhaul of infrastructure requirements, most wayside stations were closed and nearly all railway buildings, houses, stations, and sheds were sold or removed, including the Railway Station in Ross.