Heidebahn
The first sections of the railway, those between Bremervörde and Zeven and between Visselhövede and Walsrode were opened in 1890. The Walsrode – Visselhövede stretch was initially a continuation of the southern section of the Heath Railway from Hanover to Walsrode. The gaps between Rotenburg via Brockel to Visselhövede and from Zeven to Rotenburg were opened in 1906. The route played an important role in opening up the region, in transporting agricultural goods, in school traffic, and also for tourism. During the Nazi era deportation trains worked the line to the Nazi concentration camps at Bergen-Belsen and Sandbostel.