The from Kongsvinger to Flisa were officially opened on 1 November 1893, and regular services commenced two days later. Construction cost 2.9 million Norwegian krone. As long as the line ran to Flisa it served two daily train in each direction. Travel time was just short of two hours. Although popular for carrying passengers and cargo, the lumber industry was never an early adopter of timber trains, instead remaining loyal to log floating. Still, the railway was important for the commercial development in the area and supported the lumber industry through supplies.