The RCG began construction of its line to a point located exactly opposite Ruhrort on the bank of the Rhine in Homberg, now part of the city of Duisburg.

The Ruhrort–Homberg train ferry commenced services to Ruhrort station on the east bank of the Rhine on 12 November 1852, carrying carriages and freight wagons over the river.

The opening of the Lower Rhine line in 1904 established a connection between Rheinhausen and Trompet (continuing via Moers to Kleve), which proved to be more profitable, especially as it included a direct rail link to the Hohenbudberg marshalling yard.

The original line between Trompet and Uerdingen was eventually closed for passenger on 30 September 1961; the closure of freight traffic followed a day later, on 1 October 1961.

The main line from Duisburg Hauptbahnhof via Duisburg-Hochfeld Süd and Hohenbudberg to Mönchengladbach Hbf is now consistently double track and electrified.

The line is served every hour by a Regional-Express service, the Niers-Haard-Express (RE 42), connecting Mönchengladbach and the Lower Rhine to the western and central Ruhr area and Münster.

Fares for the entire route are set by the Rhine-Ruhr public transport association (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr, VRR).