It runs from Leipzig through the valley of the White Elster via Zeitz, Gera, Triptis, the Orlasenke lowland and Saalfeld to Probstzella.

The line then runs through the flat Leipzig Bay along the Elster through the former central German lignite mining area.

Until 1998, the Crossen–Porstendorf line ran from Crossen an der Elster station via Eisenberg and Bürgel to Porstendorf (north of Jena).

To the west of the town of Weida the line crosses a crest on the approach to Triptis at an altitude of about 375 metres above sea level.

It then runs through Pößneck ober (upper) station to Saalfeld, where it connects with the Saal Railway, which links Berlin and Munich.

Although the curve at Großheringen meant that the Saal Railway was 25 km shorter, the north–south connection (Nord-Süd-Verbindung) through Gera continued to be used as a long-distance line from Leipzig in the north to Nuremberg in the south.

A temporary terminus was built in Eichicht as the route for the continuation of the line and connection to Bavaria was still unclear.

The line at Knautnaundorf was realigned for the establishment of an open cut lignite mine under the East German regime.

In addition, on Saturdays (during the summer timetable), a pair of RE trains run from Leipzig via Gera and Saalfeld to Blankenstein (Schiefergebirgs-Express) and to Katzhütte (Schwarzatal Express).