Construction of the line from Goldau (518 m asl) - those days not more than a hamlet - to Staffel via Kräbel and Klösterli (1315 m asl) started in 1873 and work on the Art-Ober Art-Goldau section started in 1874. On 4 June 1875, the Art-Rigi Railway (Art-Rigi-Bahn) was able to commence operations along the whole line. Although it had lost the race against the Vitznau-Rigi Railway, the line had glorious views and more luxurious coaches. The mountain railway started operating in winter between Goldau and Rigi-Kulm in 1928.