This Lokalbahn, known as the Vellachtalbahn ran from Volkermarkt-Kuhnsdorf on the standard gauge line from Klagenfurt to Bleiburg, to Eisenkappel. The line was built at the instigation of the town of Eisenkappel and the operator of a factory at Rechberg . .

The line was 17.5 kms long, of 760mm gauge and opened on 5 October1902. There were halts at Eberndorf (4.km), Gossellsdorf (5.7km), Sittersdorf (9.6km) and a station at Miklauzhof (11.1). At Rechberg (14.1 km) there was a halt, opposite which was the cellulose works with its own sidings. Finally the line reached the station of Eisenkappel (17.54 km). The line operated passenger and goods but the main traffic was to and from the works at Rechberg.

The line lost its passenger service in 1965 for safety reasons and was cut back to Rechberg in May 1966 , shortly afterwards a speed restriction of 10km/hr was imposed . With only the traffic to the works supporting a deteriorating railway in which the OBB declined to invest, the line closed in 1971. Traffic was then transferred to strassenroller, a multi wheeled transporter hauled by a powerful tractor unit carrying a complete standard gaugewagon from railhead to destination.

Locos used on the line in the late 50’s till the end were of classes 199, 399, 499, 699.

The cellulose works had their own loco, certainly latterly , this was an 0-6-0 diesel which went to the Steiermarkische Landesbahnen when rail traffic ceased.