Although non-standard, the choice of this system did not create any additional operational difficulties, as the Rübeland Railway was not connected to any other electrified lines.

Electric operations began on 1 August 1966, with trains being worked by the DR Class E 251, specially built for the line.

The final regular passenger services, between Blankenburg and Elbingerode, were withdrawn by the state of Saxony-Anhalt on 11 December 2005.

Power to the catenary was switched off on 17 May 2005, and the section from Blankenburg to Elbingerode was put up for lease by DB Netz AG on 12 July 2005.

From that point the Havelländische Eisenbahn (HVLE), who had already paid for most of the goods traffic since 2005, took over the remaining transport operations previously run by Railion.

[2] Because many people who lived along the line of the Rübeland Railway protested against diesel running due to the noise and exhaust emissions of diesel locomotives, the state of Saxony-Anhalt wanted to fund electrical goods train operations to the tune of 450,000 euros.

In January 2008 the catenary between the Hornberg Lime Works siding and the station of Königshütte was dismantled.

Due to a lack of locomotives suitable for steep inclines, the Class 185 was not able to carry out a test run until January 2009 however.

95 1027 was transferred from Arnstadt shed to the Meiningen Steam Locomotive Works, where it will be made operational for the Rübeland Railway at a cost of 350,000 euros.

Originally cog locomotives were used on the line, but the introduction of the HBE Animal Class enabled it to be worked with a rack.

From 2000, passenger trains were no longer electric-hauled, because the locomotives had no means of operating the door closing equipment.

As a result, DB Cargo also switched to diesel motive power, using Classes 241 and 233, because the maintenance of the catenary was uneconomical.