On a visit to Weiz in July 1883, Emperor Franz Joseph remarked that the area needed a rail connection - "It is completely neglected.", but it was not until 17 April 1888 that the 15 km long standard gauge line was authorised. The line opened for all traffic on Sunday, 28 July 1889, and was operated by k.k.StB. From 1 July 1942 the line was taken over by Steiermärkische Landesbahnen, although they had run the line since 1 January 1922. The line left the junction station at Gleisdorf in a north-westerly direction, and headed across open farmland to St. Ruprect an der Raab (5.8 km). From her, the line continued rather more northerly to Hst. Flatnitz-Neudorf (9.9 km), before turning north-west again for the final leg to Weiz (14.8 km). Beyond the station at Weiz were freight sidings and goods facilities, which were expanded following the opening of the Feistritztalbahn .

At Weiz the electric generator works of Gesellschä für elektrische Industrie, later ELIN-AG produced a steady stream of freight traffic in both directions. Being difficult to manoeuvre loads through the town, plans were made for a rail connection. Resistance by home owners prevented the building of the line until 1916, when it was installed along Birkfelderstraße and Kapruner-Generator Straße to the factory (0.88 km). The line was electrified at 440V DC, using ELIN-built BoBo steeple-cab electric shunters. A second branch, from the ELIN line, went to lime kilns a a quarry (1.21 km) and was opened in 1920. The overhead catenary was extended into Weiz station, and several sidings were extended. Nothing can be seen today of the quarry branch, the line having closed in 1950. The overhead wiring was dismantled in 1973.

In 1920 a timber and general stores business, the Weizer Commercial Company, built a transhipment shed and goods docks in Weiz station area, connected to both narrow and standard gauge lines. The company built several specialist trucks, and imported automobiles into the area.

Services on the line were in the hands of a number of tank engines. In the period February - August 1933 Austro-Daimler tried out a diesel railcar, similar to the narrow-gauge ones on the Murtalbahn (q.v.). Services were extended along the main line to Graz. On the strength of the trials, StLB bought two similar vehicles, VT1 and 2. VT1 was withdrawn in 1946, whilst VT2 struggled on until 1955.

In 1939 the line was extended by converting one of the sidings beyond Weiz station, to a new terminus nearer the town centre, Weiz Stadt. After World War 2, when the station at Weiz was shelled, and the yard at Gleisdorf damaged by bombing, services gradually returned. One noteworthy train, run in 1953, was the use of the "Blauer Blitz" express diesel set on the Weiz - Graz service. Line speed was raised from 30 km/h to 60 km/h. The tracks were rearranged in Weiz station, the narrow gauge lines still however crossing most of the tracks on the level. StLB purchased two diesel locomotives, DE1 and 2, in 1964/5 from ÖAMG/BBC/MAN. Used on both freight and passenger services, the locos have been re-engined, but are still in service.

In 1982 StLB bought three 4-wheel railbuses, VT21-23 (formerly class 798), and three trailers, VS 31-33, from DB (class 998), followed by two more railbuses, this time from ÖBB (where they used to be class 5081), in 1965. Only VT21 (798.577-3) has been officially withdrawn. A works service through the streets of Weiz was run for the benefit of workers at the ELIN factory, the train stopping at two of the factory gates until the early 1990s.

In 1989 the track was renewed completely, and on 18 November 1989 the Federal Railway ÖBB company ran through services using new diesel unit 5047 017-8. StLB subsequently bought one of these Jenbacherwerke-designed machines, and use it on services on the branch.

For the centenary, StLB published an excellent record. Written by Dr Helmut Wittmann and published by Steiermärkische Landesbahnen, Direktion, Redetzkystraße 31, 8010 Graz. 100 jahre Landesbahn Gliesdorf - Weiz is excellent background prior to a visit.

Weiz and Gleisdorf Tourist information centre