Austria - General Information: Difference between revisions

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===Projects under way or planned===
===Projects under way or planned===
Wien metro line U1 is to be extended, at its southern end, by 4.6km to Oberlaa, opening in 2017. Line U4 is to be closed between stations Längenfeldgasse  and Karlsplatz in 2019 for modernisation.
Part-electrification of two branches
Part-electrification of two branches
*660 Klagenfurt – Weizelsdorf – Rosenbach
*660 Klagenfurt – Weizelsdorf – Rosenbach
Line 178: Line 180:


Some of these lines were already under serious threat. The lines marked * may be privatized as part of an agreement with the regional government of Oberösterreich, along with Haiding to Aschach. Although the line from Rottenegg to Aigen-Schlägl, part of the branch from Linz Urfahr, is on the above list, the Linz Urfahr to Rohrbach section is planned for conversion into tram-train operation, with the rest of the line being shut. At Rohrbach a new line, 2.8 km long, will be built towards the town centre, and at Linz a new line will be built from Urfahr to Hauptbahnhof.
Some of these lines were already under serious threat. The lines marked * may be privatized as part of an agreement with the regional government of Oberösterreich, along with Haiding to Aschach. Although the line from Rottenegg to Aigen-Schlägl, part of the branch from Linz Urfahr, is on the above list, the Linz Urfahr to Rohrbach section is planned for conversion into tram-train operation, with the rest of the line being shut. At Rohrbach a new line, 2.8 km long, will be built towards the town centre, and at Linz a new line will be built from Urfahr to Hauptbahnhof.
Wien line U1 is to be extended, at its southern end, by 4.6km to Oberlaa, opening in 2017.


===Recent changes===
===Recent changes===

Revision as of 15:33, 14 August 2016

Country Name

Austria (Österreich)

National Railway System

National Railway Operator

Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB).

Language

German, which differs in certain respects from the version spoken in Germany.

Currency

Euro

UIC code

numeric 81; alpha A.

Timetable

Journey Planner

fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en?

Downloadable Timetable

Individual tables can be downloaded at http://www.oebb.at/de/strecken-fahrplaninfos/fahrplanbilder. An offline journey planner can also be downloaded at http://www.oebb.at/en/Planning_your_trip/Timetable/Offline_timetable_version/index.jsp

Printed Timetable

ÖBB no longer publish a printed timetable.

Engineering Information

fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/help.exe/dn?tpl=showmap_external provides a pictorial map giving the location and type of engineering work and other incidents for ÖBB also significant events on neighbouring railway administrations.

A map of the network showing the locations and dates of engineering works in 2016, by quarter, is present at: [1]

A map of the network showing the locations and dates of engineering works in 2017, by quarter, is present at: [2]

Bus Information

The ÖBB 'Scotty' Journey Planner can be used to plan bus journeys. ÖBB Postbus timetables can be downloaded from the Postbus website.

Maps

Printed Maps

  • Eisenbahnatlas Österreich”, the second edition of which (ISBN 3-89494-138-3) was published in 2010 by Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH, similar to atlases from the same publisher for Germany, Italy & Slovenia, and Switzerland.
  • European Railway Atlas: Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland by M.G. Ball (1993) (ISBN 0-7110-2116-3)
  • European Railway Atlas by M.G. Ball (2008 onwards)

Web-based Maps

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

Infrastructure is owned and managed by a public authority, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG.

Network Statement

The Network Statement page gives access to the latest network statements.

Gauge

Mostly standard gauge, but the following lines are narrow gauge:

  • 760mm gauge: 115 St Polten – Mariazell; 132 Waidhofen a d Ybbs – Gstadt; 801 Gmünd NÖ – Groß Gerungs; 802 Gmünd NÖ – Litschau and Heidenreichstein
  • Metre gauge (and rack operated): 523 Puchberg am Schneeberg – Hochschneeberg (see below regarding ownership).
  • Various private lines are narrow gauge, as noted below.

Electrification

15 kV 16.7 Hz. The St Polten – Mariazell line is electrified at 6.6 kV 25 Hz. Electrification systems used by private lines are noted below. The following cross-border routes with Hungary are electrified at the Hungarian standard 25 kV 50 Hz:

  • between Ebenfurth and Deutschkreutz via Sopron (Ebenfurth station area can be switched between the two voltages);
  • between Neusiedl am See (exclusive) and Fertöszentmiklós (the electrification boundary is a few hundred metres south of Neusiedl station).

Rule of the road

Many lines are single track and most double track railways are signalled for reversible working. Most double track lines in Austria operate with right-hand running, although many lines in the east of the country once operated with left-hand running, a hangover from the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Wien to Graz line and the Wien S Bahn system still operate with left-hand running, although the Wien to Salzburg line was converted some years ago. The following lines converted to right-hand running on 6 August 2012:

  • Wien Floridsdorf – Bernhardsthal (Bernhardsthal – Břeclav ČD will convert on 9 December 2012)
  • Wien Rennweg – Flughafen
  • Wampersdorf – Wiener Neustadt Civitas Nova
  • Wien Hbf – Payerbach-Reichenau
  • Wien Hütteldorf/Penzing – Wien Meidling
  • Wien Meidling – Wien Floridsdorf
  • Wien Floridsdorf – Stockerau
  • Wien Süßenbrunn – Wolkersdorf

ÖBB intends to convert most of the remaining lines - apart from Mürzzuschlag - Bruck a d Mur - Graz, as major investment would be required. The only other line with left-hand running is Wien FJB - Tulln - Absdorf-Hippersdorf, which is an isolated section of double track.

Distances

The best source is the “Eisenbahnatlas Österreich”; see #Printed Maps.

Other Railways

Table numbers in the Fahrpläne Österreich are shown in brackets

  • Graz-Köflacher Eisenbahn: Graz Hbf – Köflach and Wies-Eibiswald (550) www.gkb.at
  • Montafonerbahn AG: Bludenz – Schruns (420). Electrified 15 kV 16.7 Hz www.montafonerbahn.at
  • Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurter Eisenbahn AG: Ebenfurth – Sopron (512), Neusiedl am See – Fertószentmiklós (731). An international railway in joint Austrian and Hungarian ownership, better-known by its Hungarian name, Györ-Sopron Ebenfurti Vasút (GySEV). Raab and Oedenburg are the German names for Györ and Sopron respectively. The line from Ebenfurth to Sopron is electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz and used by dual-frequency ÖBB trains between Sopron and Wien Südbf. GySEV also owns the line between Sopron and Györ, which is entirely in Hungary and electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz. www.raaberbahn.at
  • Salzburg Stadtwerke AG Verkehrsbetriebe Lokalbahn: Salzburg Lokalbahn – Trimmelkam and Lamprechtshausen (210). Electrified 1000 V dc. Bürmoos – Trimmelkam was acquired from Stern und Hafferl by Salzburg Stadtwerke on 31 July 1993 and modernised, with construction of a new underground terminus outside Salzburg Hbf. www.slb.at
  • Steiermärkische Landesbahnen: Gleisdorf – Weiz Stadt (531), Feldbach – Bad Gleichenberg (532) (electrified 1000 V dc), Peggau-*Deutschfelstritz – Ubelbach (540) (electrified 15 kV 16.7 Hz), Unzmarkt – Tamsweg (630) (760 mm gauge), Mixnitz – St Erhard (760 mm gauge, electrified 800 V dc, freight only but it is possible to charter passenger trains or passenger coaches on freight trains), Weiz – Anger (760 mm gauge; Weiz - Oberfeistritz closed at the end of 2014 for safety reasons and may never reopen). www.stlb.at
  • Stern und Hafferl: Linz Hbf – Peuerbach and Neumarkt-Kalham (143) (electrified 800 V dc, operated by dual-system EMUs into Linz Hbf on 15 kV 16.7 Hz), Lambach – Vorchdorf-Eggenberg (160), Vorchdorf-Eggenberg – Gmunden Seebf (161) (metre gauge, electrified 800 V dc), Vöcklamarkt Lokalbahn – Attersee (180) (metre gauge, electrified 800 V dc), Vorchdorf-Eggenberg – Brauerei Eggenberg (freight only).www.stern-verkehr.at
  • Stubaitalbahn AG: Innsbruck – Fulpmes (320). Metre gauge, electrified 900 V dc. Operated by tram-style vehicles which work through onto the Innsbruck tram system at 750 V dc. www.ivb.at
  • Südburgenländische Regionalbahn: Oberwart – Oberschützen (leased to FROWOS: see Tourist Lines below); Oberwart – Großpetersdorf – Rechnitz (freight, plus July and August Sunday excursions from Grosspetersdorf "towards Märchenwald") www.maerchenbahn.at
  • Westbahn Management GmbH: The first open access operator in Austria, it runs an hourly fast service between Wien Westbahnhof and Freilassing. www.westbahn.at
  • AG der Wiener Lokalbahnen: Wien Oper – Baden Josefsplatz (515) An 800 V dc long-distance tramway, connected to the Wien tram system. www.wlb.at
  • Zell am See – Krimml (230), Pinzgauerbahn, 760 mm gauge, operated by SLB. www.pinzgauerlokalbahn.at
  • Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe AG: Jenbach – Mayrhofen (310) (760 mm gauge). www.zillertalbahn.at

Tourist Lines

Various private lines, listed above, and the Schneebergbahn line are wholly or largely tourist operations.

An English language site lists these tourist lines. Railways of the World - Austria. See under "Tourist and Museeum Lines" section heading.

ÖBB has a unit called ÖBB Erlebnisbahn (ÖBB Experience Railway). See www.erlebnis-bahn-schiff.at for more information. ÖBB Erlebnisbahn currently operate summer weekend services on the Korneuburg to Ernstbrunn branch as detailed in table 931.

NOVÖG operate tourist services on the following lines www.noevog.at/en:

  • 801 Waldviertelbahn (Nordast): Gmünd NÖ – Gross Gerungs (760 mm gauge)
  • 802 Waldviertelbahn (Südast) : Gmünd NÖ – Litschau and Heidenreichstein (760 mm gauge)
  • 811 Wachaubahn: Krems a d Donau - Emmersdorf a d Donau
  • 941 "Reblaus Express" Retz - Drosendorf

Rail cycling is possible on a number of lines; see the IG Draisinenfahrten website. Click on 'International', followed by 'Draisinenlinks' to obtain website details under the heading 'Draisinenstrecken in Österreich (AT)'.

Metro

Wien has a third rail U-Bahn (much of which is above ground) and several sections of overhead-electrified U-Bahn tramway with metro characteristics.

Trams

Gmunden, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, Wien (which extends via the Wiener Lokalbahnen into Baden). The Wien system is the largest European network outside Russia.

Track plans for all tram systems in Austria are available on the doprava.unas.cz site. Track plans for Innsbruck and Wien are available on the Gleisplanweb site.

See also Tram services over obscure routes - Austria

Recent and future changes

Projects under way or planned

Wien metro line U1 is to be extended, at its southern end, by 4.6km to Oberlaa, opening in 2017. Line U4 is to be closed between stations Längenfeldgasse and Karlsplatz in 2019 for modernisation.

Part-electrification of two branches

  • 660 Klagenfurt – Weizelsdorf – Rosenbach
  • 670 [Villach] Arnoldstien - Hermagor – Kötschach-Mauthen

was agreed in early 2016 by ÖBB and Kärnten Land. They will be electrified as far as Weizelsdorf and Hermagor respectively (about half their length), with closure beyond these points in December 2016. It is not known when the electrification is to be completed.

The Murtalbahn (Unzmarkt - Tamsweg) may possibly be converted to standard gauge and electrified as far as Murau. The line further west would no longer have regular trains and its future therefore uncertain.

Construction started in March 2014 of a new connecting line from the site of the relocated station at Gmunden Seebahnhof (between Gmunden Traundorf and the old Seebahnhof) to Rathausplatz. The initial section from Seebahnhof to Klosterplatz opened in December 2014. The closed section of the Gmunden town tram line from Rathausplatz to Franz Josef Platz is to be rebuilt, providing a through route between Gmundem Bahnhof and Vorchdorf-Eggenberg, which is expected to open from summer 2017. A sketch map is available.

In late 2011 OBB presented their plans for the period to 2025. Upgrades include a link to Wien Airport and the St Polten freight by-pass to complete Wien – Wels quadrupling. OBB want to give up 700 km of branch lines either by handing to regional authorities or complete closure. The passenger lines selected, based on a minimum threshold of 2000 passengers per day, were:

  • 171 Attnang-Puchheim – Reid/Innkreis – Schärding*
  • 153 Wels – Grünau*
  • 142 Rottenegg – Aigen–Schlägl
  • 133 Sarmingstein – St Nikola
  • 524 Deutschkreutz – Neckenmarkt
  • 660 Viktring – Rosenbach
  • 670 Hermagor – Kötschach-Mauthen
  • 522 Bad Fischau – Puchberg
  • 521 Pernitz-Muggendorf – Gutenstein
  • 912 Gänserndorf – Gross Schweinbarth – Bad Pirawarth
  • 912 Obersdorf - Gross Schweinbarth
  • 820 Hadersdorf – Sigmundsherberg
  • 560 Spielfeld-Strass – Bad Radkersburg
  • Bleiburg – Prevalje

Some of these lines were already under serious threat. The lines marked * may be privatized as part of an agreement with the regional government of Oberösterreich, along with Haiding to Aschach. Although the line from Rottenegg to Aigen-Schlägl, part of the branch from Linz Urfahr, is on the above list, the Linz Urfahr to Rohrbach section is planned for conversion into tram-train operation, with the rest of the line being shut. At Rohrbach a new line, 2.8 km long, will be built towards the town centre, and at Linz a new line will be built from Urfahr to Hauptbahnhof.

Recent changes

The Weiz - Oberfeistritz (Steiermärkische Landesbahnen) line was temporarily closed following the last train on 24 December 2014 owing to the poor condition of the Bachl viaduct and the Hardt-Puch tunnel. The Oberfeistritz - Birkfeld was leased to club U44, which moved all its rolling stock to the now cut off Birkfeld. However patronage fell considerably so the Steiermark Region therefore sold the entire line to the Feistritztalbahn in February 2016 for a nominal €1 and contributed €235,000 for repairs. The line reopened to passengers in April 2016.

A 2.8 km extension of the Salzburg Local Railway (SLB) from Trimmelkam to Ostermeithing was inaugurated on 12 December 2014. This followed the May 2012 branch terminus at Lamprechthausen being relocated closer to the town centre by extending the line 300 metres.

Wien Hauptbahnhof was officially opened on 10 October 2014 (although work continued until opening of all facilities - with through services, use of newly built flyovers at the west end and diveunders at the east end - could take place). All long-distance trains from the Westbahn - which formerly used Wien Westbahnhof - now use the Lainzer tunnel and Hauptbahnhof - the replacement for Südbahnhof. The new station had been partially opened on 9 December 2012, in connection with which two U Bahn stations were renamed; Wien Südbahnhof became Quartier Belvedere, and Südtirolerplatz became Wien Hauptbahnhof. At the same time the metro station Südtirolerplatz became Südtirolerplatz- Hauptbahnhof. Work on the project had started in 2007 and from 12 December 2009 until 8 December 2012 services to Bruck a d L, and Stadlau and beyond used a temporary station Wien Südbahnhof (Ost), 150 m to the south of the old station site. Services to Wiener Neustadt and beyond ran from Wien Meidling. A new motive power and carriage depot has been built on what has been freight yard and sidings at Matzleinsdorfer Platz between Wien Süd and Meidling.

The new chord at Kledering Yard (Wien Zvbf-Einfgr - Wien Zvbf-Nord), which connects the Wien – Hegyeshalom line to the airport line, opened in December 2014.

The Wien Hadersdorf - Meidling – Wien Hütteldorf section of the Neue Westbahn opened to freight in late 2012 and to passenger services to Wien Hauptbahnhof in December 2014.

During 2014 the metre gauge branch from Vorchdorf-Eggenberg was slightly shortened when its terminal station, Gmunden Seebahnhof, was relocated inland, then on 14 December the line was extended a short distance from this new station to Gmunden Klosterplatz. Work is underway to connect this to the existing tram line in Gmunden town centre.

The seasonal service on the Kornueburg – Ernstbrunn branch ceased in 2014 but had resumed by 2016 with a changed operator Regiobahn

The Kammer-Schoerfling branch was cut back by around 500m in June 2014, thus eliminating 2 level crossings. A new terminal station was opened on the west side of the current line at a slightly lower level, involving around 200m of new alignment.

The Wien Liesing – Waldmühle branch, which had no booked traffic other than excursions operated by the Verein Pro Kaltenleutgebnerbahn, was legally closed in January 2014 but the preservation organisation still hope to resume services in due course.

The Deutschkreutz to Oberloisdorf line, which had a limited passenger service as far as Neckenmarkt-Horitschon, was expected to close in December 2012. In the event the passenger service was reprieved at a late stage, but has since ceased, with final trains running on 28 June 2013.

The Wörgl – Baumkirchen tunnel line opened in December 2012, although signalling issues meant that, initially, it was only used by Railjet services. See Obscure Line entry AT16/7.

In September 2012 a 4km section of new alignment opened between Lambach and Breitenschützing as part of line improvements on the Wels – Salzburg route.

In September 2011 a new alignment opened on the Lieboch to Köflach branch, between Krottendorf and Söding.

An 800 metre new alignment on the Zell am See to Krimml branch, between Uttendorf-Stubachtal and Pirtendorf, opened in November 2011, avoiding tight curves and numerous level crossings.

On 2 October 2011 Wien metro line U2 was extended at its eastern end from Stadion to Aspernstrasse, and was subsequently extended further, to Seestadt.

The line from Friedberg to Oberwart (table 520) lost its passenger service with effect from 1 August 2011. On the same date the service between Deutschkreutz and Neckenmarkt-Horitschon was reduced to three rush-hour services each way, and an hourly M-S service was introduced between Klagenfurt and Weizelsdorf (table 660), the remainder of this line only seeing a single early morning train from Rosenbach.

Work continues on the Koralmbahn Klagenfurt – Graz , with the 32 km Koralmtunnel as its centrepiece. The first section between Werndorf and Wettmannstätten opened with effect from 12 December 2010, and the entire single track line is due to be completed by 2023. There is more information at de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koralmbahn (but be careful – Wikipedia information may always be biased). It is planned also to build partial double tracks on the Steirische Ostbahn (Graz – Gleisdorf – Szentgottard (Hungary), but the information on this is very sparse. de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steirische_Ostbahn indicates a south to east Graz avoiding line (otherwise all trains Koralmbahn – Szentgottard would have to run round in Graz) and a possible completion in 2020. But without these measures to the Steirische Ostbahn, the investment in Koralmbahn would be of much less value – it would not be practical to route more freight through Hungary, where there are considerably less gradients than the Semmering route.

The following lines closed at the timetable change on 11 December 2010:

  • 113 Schrambach - Markt St.- Aegyd am Neuwalde
  • 115 Ober Grafendorf - Mank
  • 120 Scheibbs - Kienberg-Gaming
  • 132 Gstadt - Lunz am See and Gstadt - Ybbsitz. These lines had already been closed since mid 2009 owing to floods. The section from Waidhofen to Gstadt has remained open, operated by NOVÖG.
  • 811 Krems an der Donau - Emmersdorf an der Donau. This has reopened for tourist services operated by NOVÖG.
  • 830 Schwarzenau - Zwettl Stadt
  • 831 Schwarzenau - Waidhofen an der Thaya
  • 912 Groß Schweinbarth - Sulz Museumsdorf

The sole remaining school train each way between Zeltweg and Bad St. Leonhard (T620) was withdrawn on 31 July 2010.

The StH line (Lambach -) Neukirchen – Haag lost its passenger service from 13 December 2009. It had been said that there was no financially viable way to connect this line when the Westbahn is upgraded Linz – Salzburg. On the same date a new alignment opened between Atzenbrugg and a point two kilometers east of the proposed new Tullnerfeld station, on the Herzogenburg to Tulln line. The intermediate stations of Michelhausen and Judenau have been closed. The new line runs alongside the high speed Wien to St Pölten line currently under construction. The old alignment has been de-electrified but, other than a short section at the east end, is still in use for freight. In connection with this, two freight-only spurs, a 1.8 km west to north chord at Tulln and a 0.9 km south to east chord at Absdorf-Hippersdorf, have been opened. The former as at 2016 has a limited passenger service.

The new entrance to St Pölten from the east (Knoten Wagram) was completed in August 2005. This includes tracks from the Neue Westbahn (Wienerwald Tunnel – Tullnerfeld).

Electrification between Mistelbach and Laa an der Thaya was completed for use in December 2006. Graz Don Bosco station opened 7 September 2007.

For more information and links on these and other projects, see (in German) www.oebb.at/vip8/bau/de/Projekte_Planung_und_Bau/index.jsp.

Other new lines opened during the decade 2000 - 2010 are:

  • Innsbruck avoiding line, linking the Brenner and Wörgl lines (this is used only by freight trains)
  • Tunnel for fast trains between Leoben Hbf and St Michael
  • Diversion of the Tauernbahn, mostly in tunnels, between Lindisch and Mallnitz
  • The double track Schlierbach Umfahrung (bypass) on the Linz – Selztal line
  • Double tracking of Kolbnitz – Pusarnitz on the Tauernbahn
  • Double tracking Meidling – Inzersdorf

Preliminary work on a Semmering base tunnel has resumed and the principal route decided.

ÖBB is withdrawing freight services from many lines, including the entire narrow-gauge network. It has also stated that in order to cope with reduced subsidies, many passenger services will also have to be withdrawn. Campaigning groups have listed almost every non-electrified line as under threat.


Salzburger Lokalbahn has taken over the operation of the Zell am See – Krimml line on 1 July 2008.

The Schneebergbahn, ÖBB's mountain rack railway, has been transferred to a company in which ÖBB and the local Province have an equal shareholding. ÖBB, in effect, continues to run the line, though it comes outside the standard fare system, and the operating loss is shared with the Provincial councils. Regular services have also been extended to the Hotel platforms at the Summit.

The Schafbergbahn was transferred to Salzburg AG in April 2006.

The light rail line to Igls, operated as an extension of the Innsbruck tram system, has been threatened with closure, but still continues to operate.

Special notes

Explanations in English of Austrian (and German) railway signalling can be found at mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/railway/germaust.htm.

See also