The line is dedicated for use by local traffic, however both lines are technically capable of carrying all types of trains, effectively forming a four track rail corridor running roughly East-West through the center of the Warsaw metropolitan area.

The line was originally opened in 1845 as part of Warsaw–Vienna railway[1] and electrified between 1936 and 1937.

During the interbellum with the construction of the Warsaw Cross-City line authorities planned to upgrade the line to four tracks, but delayed the investment due to lack of funding.

A second set of tracks was built only in 1959,[2] since then the original southern tracks, today designated as line number 447, are dedicated for suburban connections, while the newer northern ones running parallel to them, today a part of line number 1, serve long-distance passenger and goods trains.

In November 2015 PKP PLK announced a tender for the modernization of the line on the section between Warszawa Włochy railway station and Grodzisk Mazowiecki.