In the midst of the heyday of branch line construction at the end of the 19th century, the idea of opening up the northwestern Chiemgau region by railway was first proposed. This was intended to particularly benefit the local timber and peat industries. While Endorf and Obing were established as starting points from the outset, the route between them was debated for some time; among other things, it was suggested that the line run via Eggstätt, right through the Hemhofen lake district! Ultimately, however, Halfing, Amerang, and Pittenhart prevailed and thus got "their" railway in 1908: On October 15th of that year, the Royal Bavarian Branch Line Endorf Obb. – Obing was opened by the Royal Bavarian State Railway.

Rise and fall

The line never distinguished itself through supra-regional importance or operational features, despite its subordinate status, as was the case, for example, with the Königssee Railway. It was primarily used by local residents, day-trippers, and the peat cutting operations near Pittenhart. It never achieved exceptionally high passenger numbers, but it was sufficient to operate economically. For well over half a century, traffic volume grew proportionally to the population. However, from the mid-1950s onward, it collapsed. This was due to the rise of private car traffic, which increasingly encroached upon the railway's territory. Furthermore, peat extraction had ceased in the meantime – even the railbus could no longer compensate for this. Passenger service was discontinued relatively early, on May 26, 1968.

Rescue attempts

The railway line, number 5705, was never truly closed. The German Federal Railway (Deutsche Bundesbahn) kept it operational for modest freight traffic, including deliveries to a scrap metal dealer in Obing. However, this came to an end in 1996. This prompted the Bavarian Railway Museum to take action, hoping to establish excursion services with steam trains. However, they were denied permission, and the local railway was ultimately left to decay – but still not officially closed! Success! But if the tried and tested can't manage it, perhaps the new approach will! Starting in 2004, we, the Chiemgau Local Railway Association (Chiemgauer Lokalbahn e.V.), gradually restored the line to working order. Through countless hours of work, primarily by volunteers, we cleared the overgrowth, reconstructed the platforms, repaired the safety systems, and completed all the necessary paperwork…

Following the establishment of its own operating company, service was finally ceremoniously reopened on July 1, 2006. Since then, the Chiemgau Local Railway – popularly known as LEO – has once again become firmly established in the local consciousness and among railway enthusiasts. And despite everything, it is proving to be very viable for the future.