a very important route in the rail network of the German Empire, as it was a section of railway link between the industrial areas of Halle–Leipzig and the Ruhr. The construction of the railway line through it and the resulting connection with the industrial centres of eastern and western Germany, stimulated economic growth. Together with the adjoining Altenbeken-Ottbergen-Kreiensen line to the west and the South Harz Railway (Südharzbahn) to the east adjoining it became in the period between 1930 and 1945 one of the busiest for east-west freight traffic (during the Second World War more than 100 freight trains ran on the line). The division of Germany reduced the importance of the line, although freight traffic continued as far as Walkenried on the edge of the German Democratic Republic. Freight traffic was discontinued in 1989. After German reunification east-west traffic was concentrated on the routes through Hanover and Kassel, so this route has since only had regional importance. Beginning in early 1990 one track of the line has been dismantled. Crossings loops now only remain in Lauenförde, Bodenfelde, Uslar and Hardegsen. Since 2000, total closure of the line has been threatened several times, although in 2002 freight traffic was temporarily resumed on a small scale. Meanwhile, the railway has been connected to the electronic interlocking in Göttingen to enable operation with little manpower. Current operations Since 9 December 2007, there has been a service every two hours between Ottbergen and Göttingen, which connects to Northeim in Bodenfelde. There are also additional services for school students. Public transport fares between Ottbergen and Bad Karlshafen are set by Nahverkehrsverbund Paderborn-Höxter (Regional transport association of Paderborn-Höxter). To the east from Lauenförde-Beverungen, fares are set by Verkehrsverbundes Süd-Niedersachsen (transport association of southern Lower Saxony). The connection from Ottbergen to Göttingen, which runs as fas as Bodenfelde on this line, is also called the Oberweserbahn (Upper Weser Railway); it continues over the Göttingen–Bodenfelde railway. The line is currently operated with class 648 diesel multiple units. Notes References External links (timetable and operations) Railway lines in Hesse Railway lines in Lower Saxony Railway lines in North Rhine-Westphalia Buildings and structures in Höxter (district) Buildings and structures in Northeim (district)