It opened in October 1838, linking Abscon in the department du Nord with Saint Waast-la-Haut.

It was gradually extended, and by 1874 it linked Somain in France with Péruwelz in Belgium.

At its peak, the line had a length of 25 miles.

The section between Péruwelz and Vieux Condé was dismantled in 1975, and freight traffic ended on the remainder of the line on 17 November 1986.

Part of the former route of the railway is now being used for the Valenciennes Tramway.