Düsseldorf-Elberfeld Railway Company

This gave the company a concession for the construction and operation of the 26 kilometre long Düsseldorf–Elberfeld line via Erkrath, Hochdahl and Vohwinkel.

One of the founders was the Elberfeld banker and later Prussian Minister of Commerce and Industry, August von der Heydt (1801–1874).

The construction of the first section from Düsseldorf to Erkrath (8.12 km) began on 9 April 1838 and it was opened for freight traffic on 20 December 1838.

The opening of the remaining 5.45 km to Steinbeck station in Elberfeld (now part of Wuppertal) followed on 3 September 1841, also only for freight.

Because of the steep slope (1 in 30 (3.3%)) in this section for a long time trains had to be hauled by cable, originally driven by a stationary steam engine.

The Düsseldorf-Elberfeld Railway Company's line
Commemorative plaque for company's founders in Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof