Towns that were not on the line of railway saw that they were at a disadvantage as the price of minerals brought in was high, and local manufacturers could not compete against connected towns' produce, because of the cost of transport to market. Local interests in Methven promoted a railway connection to the SMJR; the route would be easy, following the valley of the River Almond and a Parliamentary Bill was submitted. It obtained the Royal Assent on 29 July 1856, as the "Perth, Almond Valley and Methven Railway"; authorised capital was £25,000 with borrowing powers of £8,000.