It is designated and predominantly operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL).

On 21 July 1862, the Chemins de fer de l'Est opened the line section from Luxembourg railway station to Ettelbruck railway station to commercial traffic.

[2] During a planned closure of the line in August 2022, the roof of the Schieburg Tunnel collapsed.

[3] The line was therefore closed for over a year while the tunnel was repaired,[4] substantially increasing journey times in the region.

At Ettelbruck, a spur goes to Diekirch along the Sauer, and the main line follows the Alzette to Luxembourg.