Heidebahn
In 1873 the first railway through Soltau was opened, the line which linked Bremen and Berlin. It was followed in 1901 by the Heath Railway between Hamburg and Hanover and, in 1912, the lines of the East Hanoverian Railways to Celle and Lüneburg. In 1885 Soltau became a district town ("Kreisstadt"). In 1896 the gas works was built and, two years later, the gymnasium and shooting hall.