However, when the last Thuringian potash plant in Unterbreizbach received a connection via Heringen, only occasional timber traffic remained.

The STB continued to run railcars to Vacha for half a year until rail passenger services on the line ended in 2001.

It was announced in 2010 that the town of Bad Salzungen would acquire the station building and the freight yard area.

In addition, timber loading would to be shifted to Merkers and a shopping centre of the Kaufland retail chain would be built in the area of the former freight yard.

As part of the construction carried out for the renewal of Bad Salzungen station by the end of 2015, Deutsche Bahn has provided funding of €2.3 million to the state of Thuringia.