The government was looking to provide work for returned soldiers and to open up land for returned soldiers’ settlement blocks which was also a driving force behind the construction. The railway construction commenced in March 1918, and construction was carried out by day labour of the Department of railways. The construction gangs consisting of several hundred and had their own ‘village’ of tents on Dead Horse Hill, which is near where the Rifle Range is situated, just outside of Henty. Two years later, the line reached Rand. The line was opened on 17th May 1920. But Official opening wasn’t held until the 16th October of that same year. There was much jubilation on that day, with speeches and a smashing of a champagne bottle across the tracks.

The Minister of Railways, Hon. J. Estell opened the railway and Mrs. Milthorpe, wife of the president of the Henty-Billabong Railway League, cut the ribbon. A Public Banquet was held at the Literary Institute. The catering was done by Malcoms of Albury, renowned for their catering and Cake shop in Albury. It seemed the whole town, and local district, had turned out for the opening. In 1923 the Urangeline Station was purchased by the government and split into soldier’s settlement blocks. The shire boundaries had to be realigned so as these blocks weren’t separated by shire boundaries.

Due to the layout of the village of Pleasant Hills, the station was not built in the middle of the town. It was built on the north eastern side near the hotel. Which was a good distance from the blacksmith, watchmaker, school, church, and two stores. The train was vital link, for the community. Providing a passenger service three days per week in the beginning then back to two days per week. The shops in Pleasant Hills received all their goods by rail as did the whole community. Eggs and cream were sent away each train day to the egg board in Wagga and the butter to Albury and Wagga. Bagged wheat was done away with when the silos were built in 1932. They were a capacity of 30,000 bushells. The bulk shed, at Pleasant Hills, was built in 1968 and contains a capacity of 300,000 bushells. Bulk wheat was still carried until the line was closed in 1987. The last passenger train ran on 21st January 1956.

Compiled by Fiona Beckett from: Under the Fig Tree, From Early Beginnings, The Pepper Trees on Ryan St, Land Galore, History of the Lockhart Shire (F A Prichard) and Pleasant Hills Community Hotel Centenary booklet.