It was opened in 1878 as part of the Cannons Railway (Kanonenbahn) from Berlin to Metz, but was closed in 1983.

This line allowed the Cannons Railway to avoid the Gießen rail node.

Because the line's primary significance was military, it served none of the nearby localities.

The line features huge radius curves and low grades.

Freight traffic was closed between Lollar and Abendstern on 28 February 1983 to allow a bypass road to be built.