Its extension to Selbitz was completed by the Deutsche Reichsbahn and services began on 1 March 1924.

As a result of falling numbers, passenger services were withdrawn from the Helmbrechts–Selbitz section on 30 May 1975 by the Deutsche Bahn and the line from Selbitz to Schauenstein was lifted in June 1977.

Goods traffic continued to work the remaining stretch from Helmbrechts to Schauenstein until 31 March 1987 whilst the section beyond it was dismantled.

853 are operated by the Vogtlandbahn under contract to Deutsche Bahn using diesel multiple units of VT 642 and RegioSprinter railbuses.

The route was declared by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft on 8 February 2008 to be part of the Upper Franconian Diesel Network (Dieselnetz Oberfranken) which will be launched on 12 June 2011 with new trains and improved levels of service.