It is part of the route of InterCity services between Karlsruhe and Nuremberg and is single-track and electrified.

In 1939, it was decided to duplicate the single-track Goldshöfe–Crailsheim railway, but these plans came to nothing due to the outbreak of World War II.

[3] The line is electrified and single-track, and completely equipped with H/V (Haupt-/Vorsignal-System) colour light signals.

Thus, the height of the platforms in Ellwangen and Goldshöfe are below the minimum standard of 38 cm above rail level.

In November 2009, the Ostwürttemberg Region commissioned a feasibility study on the duplication of the line and the establishment of additional stations between Ellwangen and Crailsheim.

[6] The MEX 13 services run hourly on the Ulm–Crailsheim route from Ulm to Ellwangen, with every second train extended to Crailsheim.

In the opposite direction trains take 40 minutes, because of the limited passing opportunities, which mostly occur in Jagstzell.

Since 2002, InterCity trains on line IC 61 run on the (Basel SBB–) Karlsruhe–Pforzheim–Stuttgart–Aalen–Nuremberg route at two-hour intervals.