The Goldsworthy railway, owned and operated by BHP Billiton, is a private rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia for the purpose of carrying iron ore. It is one of two railway lines the group operates in the Pilbara, the other being the Mount Newman railway.

The Goldsworthy Railway Mining Company was a pioneering enterprise established in the late 19th century to exploit the vast mineral wealth of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The company was founded in 1896 by Edward Goldsworthy, who had been prospecting in the region since 1876. The company was initially focused on gold mining, but soon diversified into other minerals such as copper, iron ore, and manganese. In addition to mining operations, the company also developed the infrastructure necessary to transport the ore to the coast.

The Goldsworthy Railway was built to link the mines with the port of Cossack, where the ore was shipped to the smelters in the south. The railway was completed in 1900 and was the first of its kind in Australia. The railway consisted of two main lines, one running from the mines to Cossack, and the other running from Cossack to Port Hedland. The railway was initially built to a three-foot gauge, but was later upgraded to a standard gauge line.

The Goldsworthy Railway was a major factor in the development of the Pilbara region. It enabled the efficient and cost-effective transport of ore to the smelters, which in turn led to the growth of the mining industry in the region. The railway also enabled the development of other industries such as timber, livestock, and agriculture.

The Goldsworthy Railway Mining Company was highly successful and continued to operate until the mid-20th century. It was eventually taken over by the Australian Iron and Steel Company in 1959, and the railway was closed in 1968. The railway is now a part of the heritage-listed Goldsworthy Railway Historic Site, which is open to the public.

The Goldsworthy Railway Mining Company was an important pioneering enterprise that played a major role in the development of the Pilbara region. Its legacy lives on today in the form of the historic railway line and the many industries it helped to develop.