It was extended to Plochingen in December 1846 and on 28 June 1850, the first train rolled over the new single-track line of the Royal Württemberg State Railways (Königlich Württembergische Staats-Eisenbahnen).

The line is also considered as the first railway to cross a low mountain range in Europe because of the Geislinger Steige (Geislingen Ramp).

Freight trains are still pushed up the slope by additional Class 151 locomotives between Geislingen West and Amstetten.

[2] Due to the high traffic levels on this line, the 1985 federal transport plan contained proposals for sections of new and upgraded track for this route.

IC or EC trains generally also run hourly, stopping in Plochingen and Göppingen, and occasionally also in Geislingen an der Steige.

During the 112 metres climb up the Geislinger Steige, there is a monument on the left to Michael Knoll, the designer of the entire line between Esslingen and Ulm.

Tracks, points, ballast, and sleepers, which had consisted of oak beams soaked in mineral tar oil, and were over 40 years old, were replaced.

With the placement of 480 signals, the modernization of 160 switch operating units, and the earth-moving work necessary to lay the required cabling, the cost of this project was 80 million Euros.