 The first section of the Trans-Harz Railway to go into service was the line from Nordhausen to Ilfeld on 12 July 1897.On 7 February 1898 it was extended as far as Netzkater and on 15 September that year to Benneckenstein.From the north the section Wernigerode to Drei-Annen-Hohne was completed on 20 June 1898.