At the end of World War II, the line was disrupted by Allied bombing and the demolition of many bridges by the Wehrmacht.

Freight traffic ran again in August 1945, but passenger services only recommenced in October 1945 due to coal shortages.

In the meantime, the cities of Burscheid, Wermelskirchen and Remscheid have agreed to convert the remaining section of the line into a cycling path.

Clearing of the line in preparation for the planned works has started in Burscheid, according to an announcement of the press office of the city on 4 January 2011.

[6][7] Deutsche Bahn agreed in late 2011 to sell the section of the line between Opladen and Burscheid to the city of Leverkusen.

[8] The Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Balkan Cycling Path (Förderverein der Freunde und Förderer des Radwegs Balkantrasse), which is carrying out the work, anticipates that it will be opened in 2013.