The entire 30 mile Herford-Altenbeken branch line was requisitioned by the British Army in May 1946 in order to provide training facilities for Royal Engineer (Railway Operating Division) Sappers based in BAOR. The majority of activities were based in Detmold including the small Motive Power Depot with both German and British (War Department/Ministry of Supply) locomotives based there. Regular timetabled services (both passenger and freight) were also provided for the local German civilians in addition to the military traffic.

JPW