Work commenced on the railway line in June, 1886. Messrs Nichol, Gray and Tamlyn’s tender of £106,806 was accepted for the construction of the line between Echuca and Toolamba.
Earthworks were carried out by local farmers using their farm horses, drays and scoops. As this work proceeded, it was followed by ballast, sleepers and rails, permitting rail trucks to freight building materials to work sites.
On March 26, 1887, the final connecting rail was positioned about half a mile west of Kyabram at a settlement called Pine Grove. The last spike was driven by Mr Andrew J. Allan of Kyabram, president of the Echuca Shire, on Monday, March 28, 1887.
Allan St is named after Mr Allan.
A train consisting of a locomotive with ballast trucks containing sleepers for seats carried the members of the spike-driving ceremony from Echuca to the historic site.
The official opening took place in Kyabram where James Shackell, MHR for Rodney, broke a bottle of wine over the tender. A special train from Echuca bought people for the celebrations, which concluded with a banquet and a ball.
Compiled by Eileen Sullivan, Kyabram Historical Society voluntary librarian.
