The section from Weiden to Wiesau was built by the Bavarian Eastern Railway Company (Bayerischen Ostbahnen) as part of a connection from Regensburg to Cheb (German: Eger) and operated by it until it was nationalised in 1876.

The duplication of the line caused problems in Groschlattengrün station, which was located in the village of Pechbrunn next to the local basalt works and could not be moved.

[4] Until the end of the Second World War, the line was part of the most important long-distance route in southern Germany, connecting Munich, Dresden and Wrocław (German: Breslau).

[5] The Regionalbahn services on the whole line were formerly operated by Oberpfalzbahn of the Die Länderbahn (formerly Vogtlandbahn) with Siemens Desiro diesel railcars.

[6] The line runs from Weiden along the Waldnaab and Fichtelnaab rivers via Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Windischeschenbach, Reuth bei Erbendorf to Wiesau, passes by the Steinwald range on its east side and connects with the line from Nuremberg, running from the west, in Marktredwitz station.

This line continues north through the towns of Holenbrunn, Röslau and Marktleuthen and crosses the eastern foothills of the Fichtelgebirge on its way to Hof.