The line was around 42 kilometres long, had a track gauge of 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) and ran from Wilkau-Haßlau via Kirchberg and Schönheide to Carlsfeld through the Ore Mountains.

[4] Lignite imports from Bohemia, which were common in large parts of the Ore Mountains and its foreland until well into the 20th century,[5][6] and were often one of the reasons for the construction of railway lines[7] played no role in the Kirchberg area.

In 1876/77, the idea of a narrow-gauge railway was presented in the Saxon parliament for the first time, after it appeared impossible to build and profitably operate a standard-gauge line alongside the chaussee that ran parallel to it.

Although the line was approved as early as November, in 1877 Kirchberg townsfolk presented a petition, because they questioned the capability of a narrow-gauge railway.

The Saxon government referred to the benefits, that narrow-gauge railways, whose the construction was backed by a royal decree of 5 November 1877, would bring for the country's development.

Advantages of the narrow-gauge railway that were stressed were the option of an extension to Saupersdorf and the possibility of installing numerous branch-off points.

Because most of the rails were laid by the side of the road or chaussee from Wilkau to Kirchberg, elaborate earthworks were unnecessary and work progressed quite rapidly.

After less than half a year's work, the track and almost all the associated buildings were completed and it was ceremonially opened on 16 October 1881 with the active participation of the population.