 The line from Potsdam Kiewitt (west of Neustädter Bay) to Magdeburg was opened on 7 August 1846, but the Havel crossing was not opened until 12 September 1846, completing the line from Berlin to Magdeburg.The line had to cross the Havel again near Werder to connect to Werder station on the shore.In order to reach the Elbe station from Magdeburg-Buckau the railway had to cross the Old Elbe, the Taube Elbe, the main Elbe rivers and the island between them containing the district of Werder.