It is now only used for regional passenger transport, using Class 641 (Alstom Coradia A TER) diesel multiple units.

The line was opened on 28 May 1848 as a spur of the Thuringian Railway (German: Thüringer Bahn) from Fröttstädt to Waltershausen.

On 1 November 1896 the line from Friedrichroda to Georgenthal was opened to connect with the Ohra Valley Railway, but on 2 November 1947 the extension was closed and dismantled as reparations to the Soviet Union.

After the loss of freight traffic the terminus at Friedrichroda is now very run-down.

The abandoned and overgrown rail tracks and the now oversized station building with its very large goods shed testify to the former importance of the line and the Friedrichroda station.