 The line offered only summertime services until 1884 when year-round operation commenced.The line from Arth to the junction at Rigi Staffelhöhe was long, making the total length of the Arth line The maximum gradient is 1 in 5 (20%)

Whilst the Arth–Rigi railway was under construction, another line on the Rigi massif was also being built.This linked Rigi Kaltbad, on the Vitznau-Rigi line, with Rigi Scheidegg to the east.