The metre-gauge interurban route from the southern edge of Innsbruck to the skiing and walking resort of Igls was opend to the public on 26 June 1900, as the IMB Mittelgebirgbahn..

For 36 years, the trains, starting from the depot next to the lower end of the Stubaitalbahn (q.v.) were steam hauled, using Krauss 0-6-2T tank-engines, one of which ended its' days on the Ferrovia Trento-Malé line in Italy. Four of the trailers, 104, 105, 108 and 111 also survive, and are now in the Tiroler Museums-Bahnen (in the old Stubaitalbahn depot) from which they appear occasionally in Summer to work special services on the line to Igls. The line was electrified at 800V d.c. and electric running was instituted from 28 June 1936. On leaving the terminus, the line runs under the main ÖBB southwards from the Hauptbahnhof towards Italy. After crossing the River Sill, the line crosses under the A13 Brenner motorway as it joins the A12. The line climbs steadily gaining height past Schloss Ambras by the use of four 180 degree bends. The line passes a small lake, and travels through woods to reach the halt at Rans. From here, the line, now in more open countryside, but still climbing, passes the golf course and two lakes, the Mühlsee and then the Lansersee, before threading its' way past back gardens on its' way to the terminus and loop at Igls. A walk uphill from the station via Lanserestraße and Bilgeristraße takes the visitor to the talstation of the Patscherkofelbahn, transporting walkers and skiers up onto the northen side of Patscherkofel, passing over the Olympic bob sled run as they do so. The line was incorporated in the Innsbruck Tramways (IVB) system, and connections were laid outside the old depot. The depot area and turning circle have subsequently been redeveloped, now providing a bus-tram interchange.

During 1995 there was a threat to close the under-used line, which had become route 6 of the IVB. However a three year reprieve was granted, although the service was cut back from the talstation of the Hungerburgbahn, across in the north side of Innsbruck, to the Hauptbahnhof. In the Winter months, when there is less trade, the service starts and ends at the old depot at Birgisel, and a change to one of the town trams is necessary. Subsequently, another reprieve has been granted, and traffic on the line has responded, with the summer museum car trips during the summer holidays being an especial attraction. IVB trams 52 and 53, fromer Bielefeld 803 (Duewag 1962) and Bielefeld 814, with the centre section of 809 (built Duewag 1962), were altered in 1990 to allow the carriage of more cycles, and these trams are usually used on the hourly service.