original_query: What is the history of the Bavarian Forest Railway?
query: What is the history of the Bavarian Forest Railway?
answer: The Bavarian Forest Railway's history began in 1867 with Bavarian state investigations into a railway link from Plattling to the Bohemian border.  The Bayerische Ostbahn received the concession to build in 1872, beginning construction in 1874.  The line was completed in stages, with the Plattling–Deggendorf–Gotteszell–Regen–Zwiesel–Ludwigsthal route opening in 1877, and the full line to Eisenstein opening later that year.  In 1875, Bavaria nationalized the Ostbahn, merging it with the Royal Bavarian State Railways.  The line saw various expansions and changes in service over the years, including branch lines and shifts in the types of locomotives used.  After World War II, cross-border traffic ceased until 1991. 