On December 16, 2003, the railway section Korbach - Willingen was reopened after a four-year period of closing. The Kurhessenbahn was able to restart the through transit traffic between Korbach and Brilon Wald. Extensive reconstruction works were required before at the line built in October 1914. In addition to the works at the track also the viaducts in Rhena, Bömighausen, Usseln and Willingen had to be reconstructed with a high amount of work. Thus the section Korbach – Brilon Wald was the first section of the three-part master plan for the extension from Brilon Wald to Kassel which could be opened. The further plannings for the second section between Korbach and Wolfhagen have been started in June 2004 with placing of the order for the planning, production, delivery and installation of the interlocking system ZSB2000 to Scheidt & Bachmann.  The third section is planned then following from Wolfhagen to Obervellmar. In addition to the traction vehicles of the Kurhessenbahn the use of the RegioTram is to increase the attractivity of the local rail traffic on this section. At present, preliminary plannings are also made for the reopening of the section from Korbach to Frankenberg within the traffic conception of the Kurhessenbahn.

With the ESZB (electronic interlocking for signalised train control)a signalling philosophy is being introduced specifically for the local lines of the DB Netz AG. This interlocking system -  called ZSB2000 - is developed and produced by the company Scheidt & Bachmann in Mönchengladbach.

The ZSB2000 represents a low-cost, modular designed control and safety system. It comprises the functionalities absolute block system, permission change, system for automatic level crossing free detection and the preset route logic. Thus this system meets all demands made on signalling systems by the regulations for railway construction and operation (EBO). The ESZB is able to control main and branch lines with a line speed of up to 120 km/h.

All safety systems (switches, key locks, signals, track clearance sections, control systems for level crossing installations) belonging to one station or line are centralised in an ESZB. Several ESZB can be supervised and controlled by a train control centre. By using a mouse, the responsible dispatcher controls the installations on the display. Via special modem lines the control commands are transmitted to the respective ESZB, where they are safely processed as to  signalling aspects.

So this technology represents the basis for a safe railway operation and an economic success for the local lines. 

(Source: The Kurhessenbahn infosheet)