The original proposal called for the line to run from Steinkjer via Beitstad to Namsos and onwards to Nordland. Connecting Namdalen to the railway network was seen as important to ease export both of lumber, farm produce and seafood. In 1877, Grong Municipal Council instead proposed building the Nordland Line from Steinkjer via Snåsa to Grong and instead build a branch from Grong to Namsos. In an 1892 report, a line from Trondheim via Beitstad to Namsos was estimated to be long and would take 6 hours and 40 minutes. In comparison, the steam ships at the time used 16 hours.