mid-1950s: gradually, passenger traffic declined, freight traffic was abandoned, rail tracks were dismantled and connection times in Husum deteriorated. Difficulties with baggage handling and the use of uneconomic train sets (DB Class V 100 with Silberling control cars) signalled a decline of the line. Eventually a proposal for the total closure of the line was discussed, because the then cash-strapped Deutsche Bundesbahn was responsible for funding low volume lines. Therefore, Deutsche Bundesbahn submitted proposals to the Ministry of Transport in 1976 and around 1983 to close the line, leading to anger and criticism in the municipalities in the North Friesland district, which saw the line as vital for tourism. As a result of large protests, the federal government turned down the application to close the line. Renaissance and new operators As a result of pressure from the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the Deutsche Bundesbahn has invested in the line since the early 1990s. The introduction of regional fast trains (Regionalschnellbahnen) and hourly regular interval services with modern class DB-628 diesel multiple units transformed the line. The operation was thus more efficient, faster and more attractive. In 2000 the Nord-Ostsee-Bahn (NOB) service (now a subsidiary of Veolia Verkehr) won the tender with Alstom Coradia LINT and Bombardier Talent diesel multiple units. This company initiated consistent services from early morning to late evening and introduced Gleisradio (track radio), a special passenger information system using GPS. Some of the rail services operate via Husum, Schleswig and Rendsburg to Kiel. Since 2011 services on the line have been operated by DB Regio Schleswig-Holstein (formerly called Regionalbahn Schleswig-Holstein), a subsidiary of DB Regio. The line is particularly important for tourism and is an important access to the North Sea resort of Bad St. Peter-Ording, but is also important for student and commuter traffic. Consequently, in the summer months 3,000 people use the line each day and about 1600 people per day use it in the winter. The whole line is controlled using electromechanical signalling by the signalman at Tönning station. The eastern part of the line to Horn junction uses an adaptation of the electronic interlocking of Husum. The section from Tönning to Bad St. Peter-Ording is operated as a branch line using Automatic Block Signal. Notes References External links Railway lines in Schleswig-Holstein Buildings and structures in Nordfriesland Railway lines opened in 1854 1854 establishments in Germany