At first only one steam locomotive was employed, but after a short time the line was electrified to a 600 volt, direct current system.

From the 1930s diesel locomotives were also used to handle the growing levels of industrial traffic and, in 1940, a second-hand benzene-powered railbus was bought for passenger services between Bomlitz and Walsrode.

In 1944 the industrial lines had reached a total length of 31.6 kilometres (19.6 mi) but, after 1945, a large part of the network was dismantled.

Because these became unavailable, in 1991 all passenger traffic was switched to buses and the timetable reduced to little more than school bus services.

Probis, a subsidiary of Dow Wolff Cellulosics, took over the infrastructure in 2002, and since 1 March 2002 the line has been operated by the Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (OHE).