Another possible starting point for a line to Annaberg was Schwarzenberg, which since 1858 had been the terminus of the Upper Ore Mountains Railway (Obererzgebirgische Bahn).

Decisive in favour of the route through the Zschopau valley, ultimately approved in 1860, was the industry located there, which promised a higher volume of traffic.

Since 1 January 2002, the route has been operated as part of the network of Erzgebirgsbahn, a subsidiary of DB Regio.

In passenger traffic fares are regulated by the Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (Transport Association of Central Saxony).

In 2007, the section between Annaberg-Buchholz lower station and Erdmannsdorf–Augustusburg was closed from April to December for extensive refurbishment.

16 level crossings were modified, some stations were modernised, bridges were rehabilitated and tracks were renewed.

All passenger trains on the Zschopautalbahn (Zschopau Valley Railway) service are currently operated with Siemens Desiro (class 642) diesel multiple units.

From there the line runs on the eastern bank of the Sehma to just south of Wiesa and then follows the Zschopau valley down to Flöha.

The entrance hall of the station with its unique wooden overpass to the former island platform is now a heritage-listed building.

This little-known railway ran to Königswalde until 1945 and was served during the Second World War by passenger trains.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the sidings were gradually removed until only main line was left and the station was reclassified as a halt.

During the building of the line towards Freiberg, a completely new station was built in the northeast part of the facilities.