The Birseckbahn [de] opened a line between Dreispitz, in Basel, and Dornach, on 6 October 1902.

Trains continued over the Basel tram network and terminated at Aeschenplatz [de].

[3] In 1974, the Birseckbahn merged with three other companies to form Baselland Transport, which continues to own and operate the line.

[4] The line begins from a turning loop to adjacent to the Swiss Federal Railways station at Dornach-Arlesheim in Dornach.

It runs north-south, roughly parallel to the standard gauge Basel–Biel/Bienne railway line.