Austria - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

This list is based on the timetable – Fahrpläne Österreich – dated from 13 December 2009 until 11 December 2010, unless otherwise shown. There is a voucher included for the timetable valid from June 2010. Standard abbreviations used are explained in the General Information document. In the heading to each entry, the map reference for the line in the Schweers + Wall Eisenbahnatlas Österreich (2005 edition) is shown in italic, in addition to the reference to M. G. Ball's European Railway Atlas. The additional map references - prefixed by 'ERA1' - refer to the European Railway Atlas 2008 (M.G.Ball; published by European Railway Atlas)

Obscure services

Pottenbrunn - St. Pölten – Linz Hbf [100] (74A3 to 75A3; ERA1 64B1 to 64B4; 23C to 26D) AT10/1

The Westbahn main line between Wien and Salzburg is being substantially upgraded. Fast lines, known as the Neue Westbahn, are in use for much of the way from St. Pölten to Linz. For parts of the route they run adjacent to the old line, but there are substantial sections on entirely new alignments, including some long tunnels. The Neue Westbahn is in use thus:

• Pottenbrunn – St. Pölten: There are four tracks in use on the same lateral alignment but different vertical alignments at Pottenbrunn, which is the site of a future grade-separated junction with the Neue Westbahn from Wien via Tulln. The fast lines are in the centre at lower level, with the slow lines on outside at higher level, to allow access to the freight facilities on the north side.
• Markersdorf a d Pielach (Üst Prinzersdorf 2) – Ybbs a d Donau: By passes all intermediate stations except Pöchlarn, where there are connections between the old and new lines. It is used by trains running non-stop between St Pölten and Ybbs a d Donau or calling intermediately only at Pöchlarn.
• Amstetten – St. Valentin: Parallels the old Westbahn to St. Peter Seitenstetten, but then runs via an entirely new route to St. Valentin except through St.Johann where the new and old tracks are adjacent. There are connections between the old and new lines at St. Peter Seitenstetten and at St. Johann. These could be used by trains calling only at St. Peter Seitenstetten between Amstetten and St. Valentin, but there are none in the current timetable. This section of the Neue Westbahn is used by trains not stopping between Amstetten and St. Valentin.
• St. Valentin – Linz: The Neue Westbahn follows a separate route from St. Valentin to Asten-St. Florian and then parallels the old main line into Linz. It is used by trains between St Valentin and Linz Hbf not booked to call at any of the intermediate stations. The line is not complete at Linz and during autumn 2007 westbound trains were rejoining the old main line at Linz Kleinmünchen, but eastbound trains were joining the new line about 3 km further east, at Abzw Asten-St. Florian 1. Ongoing work here was observed July 2009, and the rebuilding may now be completed.

St. Valentin avoiding line: Enns (Abzw St. Valentin 11) – St. Pantaleon (Abzw Mauthausen 1) [100, 133] (74A3 not shown; ERA1 64B1; 23D) AT10/2

This curve, opened in 2005, enables trains to run between the Linz and Mauthausen lines without reversal at St. Valentin. Trains in public timetable 133 booked to call at Enns but not at St. Valentin can be expected to use this line.

Traun - Marchtrenk [101, 140] (73B3 not shown; ERA1 ERA 62B5; 23C - 22D) AT10/3

This route provides an alternative to the Linz - Wels main line, allowing slower trains to be overtaken. All trains listed in table 101 as calling at Traun can be expected to use this line.

Lambach avoiding line: Gunskirchen (Abzw Umfahrung Lambach) – Lambach Markt [101] (73B3 not shown,; ERA1 62C5; 22C) AT10/4

A tunnel avoiding Lambach is used by all trains between Wels and Attnang-Puchheim not booked to call at Lambach.

Salzburg avoiding line: Salzburg Maria Plain (Abzw. Hw3 (Kasern)) – Salzburg Parsch (Parsch (km 4,1)) [101, 200] (72B2; ERA1 61C2 or 62C4; 102B) AT10/5

This curve enables trains to run between the Linz and Bischofshofen lines without reversal at Salzburg Hbf. The night trains 246/247 which have been assumed to use the curve now have advertised stop at Salzburg Hbf. Thus, no passenger train is using it.