On 1 August 1837 construction began on the first section from Brunswick in a southerly direction towards Wolfenbüttel and on 1 December 1838 the route was opened to traffic, making it the first German state railway and the fourth railway line to be built in the German Confederation.
On 1 August 1837 construction began on the first section from Brunswick in southern direction and on 30 November 1838 the route was inaugurated by Duke William riding on a train to Wolfenbüttel hauled by a Blenkinsop locomotive. Opened to traffic the next day, it was the first German state railway and the fourth railway line to be built in the German Confederation.