It is now served by Regionalbahn trains, operated by Erzgebirgsbahn (a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn) between Zwickau and Johanngeorgenstadt.

To transport coal and supply the mining operations in the Ore Mountains, the line was soon extended along the Mulde and the Schwarzwasser valleys to Schwarzenberg.

[citation needed] On 15 October 1855, construction began on the line known as the Upper Ore Mountain Railway (German: Obererzgebirgische Bahn) and it opened 15 May 1858, after almost three years of work.

In 1946, the Soviet Wismut company started uranium mining in the Ore Mountain and the line quickly achieved a prominent role for the removal of milled uranium ores and in carrying commuter traffic to the newly established mine shafts.

Despite falling market share in the 1990s, the importance of the route for transport in the western Ore Mountains was undisputed.

As the enlargement of the Schlema tunnel to meet modern clearances would have been very expensive, the track on this section was also singled.

A line opened in 1859 serving the mountain town of Schneeberg from Schlema unterer (lower) station.

A narrow gauge line opened in 1881 from Wilkau-Haßlau to Kirchberg, which was later extended through the ridges of the Ore Mountains to Carlsfeld.

Near Hartenstein station, the line passes Burg Stein castle then runs through a narrow wooded valley.