This line, in central Kansas, was originally part of a Missouri Pacific line which extended from McPherson to El Dorado.
The Newton to El Dorado via Whitewater segment became part of the Union Pacific in 1982. Some time after that, the segment south of Whitewater was abandoned. The Newton to Whitewater segment, also serving McLains and Annelly, remained in operation until the summer of 2003, but it was abandoned by the end of the year.