Railway network Austria

Electrification 2024

In 2024, another section of the four-track Westbahn line between Marchtrenk and Wels will be put into operation in stages . The Carinthian section of the Koralmbahn between Grafenstein and St. Paul im Lavanttal was fully operational with two tracks in the reporting year. This line represents the first step towards the operation of the entire Koralmbahn between Graz and Klagenfurt . The commissioning of the electrification of the Styrian section is still pending at the time of writing. The proportion of electrified lines of all infrastructure operators was around 75 percent in 2024.

Electrification measures 2024:

Upper Austria: Four-track expansion Marchtrenk–Wels Central Station (1.3 kilometers)
Carinthia: Completion of double track Wiederndorf-Aich–St. Paul im Lavanttal (12.5 kilometers)

Electrification 2023

In 2023, further sections of the ÖBB infrastructure were electrified with 15 kilovolts (kV)/16.7 hertz (Hz) and handed over for operation. This enabled the Carinthian section of the Koralmbahn between Grafenstein and St. Paul im Lavanttal to be put into operation. This line represents the first step towards the operation of the entire Koralm Railway between Graz and Klagenfurt. In addition, the access lines to Bleiburg and Wolfsberg were converted to electric operation. The proportion of electrified lines of all infrastructure operators amounted to around 75 percent in 2023.

Electrification measures in 2023:

Carinthia: Grafenstein–St. Paul im Lavanttal–Wolfsberg (76 kilometers)
Carinthia: Mittlern–Bleiburg–Wiederndorf-Aich (10 kilometers)

Electrification 2022

In 2022, three further sections of the ÖBB infrastructure were electrified with 15 kilovolts (kV)/16.7 hertz (Hz) and handed over for operation. This meant that the electrification work between Vienna Aspern North and Marchegg could be completed. This section represents the first step towards the electrification of the entire line between Vienna and Bratislava. However, the electrification of the border section on the Slovakian side is still pending.

On the other hand, the sections from Klagenfurt to Weizelsdorf and from Klagenfurt to Grafenstein in Carinthia were converted to electric operation.

The proportion of electrified lines among all infrastructure operators was around 74 percent in 2022.

Electrification measures in 2022:

Electrification in 2021

In 2021, three further sections of the ÖBB infrastructure were electrified with 15 kilovolts (kV)/16.7 hertz (Hz) and handed over to operations. This meant that the electrification work between Linz marshalling yard and Linz Stadthafen could be completed. This short section is used for freight transport to Linz Stadthafen station, saving rail transport companies the need to switch to diesel traction for these few kilometers. In the Tyrolean Außerfern region , cross-border electric operation between the Vils Stadt stop and Pfronten-Steinach in Bavaria was also launched. Furthermore, the first section of the Mattigtalbahn between Steindorf bei Straßwalchen and Friedburg has been modernized and electrified. In 2021, electrified lines accounted for around three-quarters (74 percent) of all infrastructure operators' networks.

Electrification measures in 2021:

Electrification in 2020

In 2020, two additional lines with 15 kilovolts (kV)/16.7 hertz (Hz) were electrified and put into operation. This completed the electrification work between Gänserndorf and Marchegg . In the Tyrolean Außerfern region , electric operation commenced between Reutte in Tirol and the Vils Stadt stop. The proportion of electrified lines of all infrastructure operators amounted to around three quarters (74 percent) in 2020.

Electrification in 2019

In 2019, numerous lines were electrified and handed over to operations. This meant that the electrification work between Arnoldstein and Hermagor (Carinthia) and in the Tyrolean Außerfern region between Reutte in Tyrol and the state border at Vils could be completed . The proportion of electrified lines of all infrastructure operators amounted to around three quarters (73 percent) in 2019.

Electrification in 2018

In 2018, the selective expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification, continued. The currently single-track, non-electrified line connects Vienna with the Slovakian capital Bratislava (Pressburg). In 2018, the first section of the expansion in Vienna between Vienna Stadlau and Vienna Aspern Nord was converted to double track, grade-separated, and electrified, allowing the S80 rapid transit line to be extended to Aspern Nord.

Electrification in 2017

In 2017, electrified lines accounted for 70 percent of all infrastructure operators. The Austrian network is predominantly electrified at 15 kV at 16.7 Hz. The Raaberbahn and Neusiedler Seebahn lines are operated at 25 kV at 50 Hz. The electrified lines are supplemented by various sections powered by direct current. Noteworthy are the heavily trafficked Vienna Local Railway to Baden (750 or 850 V direct current) and the Salzburg Local Railway ( 1,000 V direct current) to Lamprechtshausen.

Electrification in 2016

In 2016, the proportion of electrified lines of all infrastructure operators was 70 percent. The Austrian network is predominantly electrified with 15 kV at 16.7 Hz. The
line of the Raaberbahn and the Neusiedler Seebahn is operated at 25 kV at 50 Hz. The electrified lines are supplemented by various sections powered by direct current (including those of the Wiener Lokalbahnen and the Montafonerbahn).

New construction and expansion in 2024

2024 was marked by the further expansion of the high-speed network. In addition to the expansion of the Southern Railway with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway, including the tunnel of the same name, the Western Railway line is also currently being expanded into a four-track high-speed line between Linz and Wels. The construction of the Koralm Railway meant that the section between Wiederndorf-Aich and Lavanttal was able to be put into full double-track operation in 2024 . The four-track expansion of the Westbahn line also continued in 2024 with the commissioning of two further tracks between Marchtrenk and Wels.

Expansion in 2024 (by kilometer):

• Carinthia: Wiederndorf-Aich–St. Paul im Lavanttal (double track, 12.5 km)
• Upper Austria: Marchtrenk - Wels (four tracks - 1.3 km)

In Styria, the Graz-Köflach railway line is set to be expanded in the future. A decision has been made to electrify the lines starting from Graz. In 2024, the Wettmannstätten–Wies-Eibiswald section was almost completely electrified. In addition, a loop from Deutschlandsberg station to Weststeiermark station is currently being completed, which will connect the line to the Koralmbahn.

Route settings 2024

In Lower Austria, the "Schweinbarther Kreuz" has been temporarily suspended in accordance with § 28 EisbG since the timetable change in mid-December 2024. It covers the Gänserndorf–Pirawarth and Obersdorf–Groß Schweinbarth routes. As a result, the three connecting railways on this route can no longer be reached. In addition, another section of the local railway line that once ran from Korneuburg via Mistelbach to Hohenau between Mistelbahn Lokalbahn and km 53.76, next to a loading area of the Austrian Armed Forces, has been permanently suspended in accordance with § 28 EisbG. It is expected to be converted into a connecting railway line, which will then run from Mistelbach Lokalbahn to Hohenau.

New buildings and extensions in 2023

2023 was marked by the further expansion of the high-speed network. In addition to the expansion of the Southern Railway with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway, including the tunnel of the same name, the Western Railway line is currently being expanded into a four-track high-speed line between Linz and Wels . Thanks to the construction of the Koralm Railway, the section between Klagenfurt and Wiederndorf-Aich was able to go into operation as a double-track line in 2023.

The double-track expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification to Marchegg, was also completed in 2023. The line connects Vienna with the Slovakian capital Bratislava. The Pottendorf line from Vienna Meidling to Wampersdorf was also completed as a double track.

Double-track expansion in 2023 (by kilometer):

• Vienna/Lower Austria: Aspern North–Siebenbrunn-Leopoldsdorf (9.3 miles)
• Carinthia: Grafenstein–Wiederndorf-Aich (12.5 km)
• Lower Austria: Münchendorf–Wampersdorf (11.8 km)
• Lower Austria: Schönfeld-Lassee–Marchegg (8.5 km)
• Vienna: Vienna Meidling–Vienna Altmannsdorf (1.3 km)

In Styria, the Graz-Köflach railway line is set to be expanded in the future. This line has been owned by ÖBB Infrastructure since mid-2023. A decision has been made to electrify the lines starting from Graz. In addition, a loop is currently under construction from Deutschlandsberg station to Weststeiermark station, which will connect the line to the Koralmbahn railway.

route settings

In Carinthia, since the timetable change in mid-December 2022, the Jauntalbahn railway line near Bleiburg Stadt and the connection to the new Koralmbahn railway line near St. Andrä im Lavanttal are no longer operational as part of the expansion of the Koralmbahn railway line. As a result, parts of freight traffic (e.g., wood chip trains) to the Wolfsberg district will continue to run via Zeltweg and the Obdacher Sattel. In mid-December 2023, the first section of the Koralmbahn between Klagenfurt and Wolfsberg was put into operation. Due to storm damage, the Pinzgaubahn line between Niedernsill and Krimml has been impassable since 2021 – the section to Mittersill is to be reactivated by summer 2024.

New construction and expansion in 2022

2022 was marked by the further expansion of the high-speed network. In addition to the expansion of the Southern Railway with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway, including the tunnel of the same name, the Pottendorf Line is also currently being expanded as a feeder line to the high-speed line. With the construction of the Koralm Railway, the section between Klagenfurt and Grafenstein is now operated as a double track.

The double-track expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification, also continued, enabling the Siebenbrunn-Leopoldsdorf–Schönfeld-Lassee section to go into operation as a double track when the timetable changed in December 2022. The line connects Vienna with the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

Double-track expansion in 2022 (by kilometer):

• Carinthia: Klagenfurt Central Station – Grafenstein (11.2 km)
• Vienna/Lower Austria: Siebenbrunn-Leopoldsdorf–Schönfeld-Lassee (7.6 km)

In Styria, the Graz-Köflach railway line is set to be expanded in the future. A decision has been made to modernize the lines starting from Graz. In addition, a loop is currently under construction from Deutschlandsberg station to Weststeiermark station, which will connect the line to the Koralmbahn in the medium term. The Steirische Ostbahn between Graz and Feldbach and the Hungarian border station of Szentgotthárd is also to be electrified.

route settings

Since the timetable change in mid-2022, the route between Vienna Brigittenau South and Vienna Northwest Station is no longer available. Originally, night trains operated there in combined transport. The 3.5 km long, single-track electrified line became obsolete with the relocation of this traffic to the Vienna South terminal.

In Carinthia, the Jauntalbahn railway line between Bleiburg and St. Andrä im Lavanttal will no longer be operational from mid-December 2022 as part of the expansion of the Koralmbahn railway line. As a result, all freight traffic in the Wolfsberg district will now have to be routed via Zeltweg and the Obdacher Sattel. Passenger transport between Wolfsberg and Bleiburg will be provided by rail replacement services. The first section of the Koralmbahn between Klagenfurt and Wolfsberg is scheduled to go into operation in mid-December 2023.

Due to storm damage, the Pinzgau Railway line between Piesendorf and Krimml was impassable in 2022 – the section to Mittersill is expected to be reactivated by late summer 2023.

New buildings and extensions in 2021

2021 was marked by the further expansion of the high-speed network. In addition to the expansion of the Southern Railway with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway, including the tunnel of the same name, the Pottendorf Line is also currently being expanded as a feeder line to the high-speed line. With the construction of the Koralm Railway , the section between Klagenfurt and Grafenstein is now operated as a double track, although electrification has not yet been fully completed.

The double-track expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification, also continued, which is why the line was temporarily closed during the 2021 summer holidays. The line, which is currently still single-track and non-electrified , connects Vienna with the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

With the timetable change in mid-December 2021, the completely modernized railway line between Lauterach and Lustenau, including the 2.6 km long double-track section between Hard and Lauterach , went into operation in Vorarlberg . The temporarily closed border sections between Rosenbach (Carinthia) and Jesenice (Karawanken Tunnel) in Slovenia, as well as between Vils (Tyrol) and Pfronten-Steinach in Germany, are once again single-track and electrified. The Karawanken Tunnel has been repaired and extended by three block sections, but has been converted back to single-track operation. In the Außerfern region , electrification work on the German side has been completed.

In Styria, the Graz-Köflach railway line is also set to be expanded in the future. A decision has been made to electrify the line from Graz to both Köflach and Wies-Eibiswald . In addition, a loop is currently under construction from Deutschlandsberg station to Weststeiermark station, which will connect the line to the Koralmbahn in the medium term. The Steirische Ostbahn between Graz and Feldbach and Szentgotthárd in Hungary is also to be electrified .

route settings

Since the timetable change in mid-December 2020, the Vienna Brigittenau Nord–Vienna Nordwestbahnhof route is no longer available. Originally, night trains operated there in combined transport between Vienna and Vorarlberg, but the 3.5 km long single-track electrified line became obsolete when this traffic was relocated to the Vienna South terminal. When the overhead line was dismantled, this section of the line was converted to diesel.

New buildings and extensions in 2020

2020 was marked by the further expansion of the high-performance network.

In addition to the expansion of the southern railway line with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway , the Pottendorf line is also being expanded as a feeder line to the high-speed line. As part of the Koralm Railway project, the new section between Pribelsdorf and Mittlern went into operation on September 7, 2020. This means that the Koralm section between Klagenfurt and Grafenstein is now operated as a double track , although electrification has not yet been completed.

The selective double-track expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification, also continued. The currently single-track, non-electrified line connects Vienna with the Slovak capital Bratislava.

The three-track expansion between Steindorf near Straßwalchen and Neumarkt-Köstendorf was completed in 2020. Now, trains on the Mattigtalbahn can be better integrated into the western line. With the start of operations, the Neumarkt-Köstendorf station was renamed Neumarkt am Wallersee.

Local railway lines are also to be expanded in Salzburg . A decision has been made to extend the Salzburg Local Railway to Mirabellplatz and to establish a connection to the Salzburg Exhibition Center . Similarly, the Stieglbahn ( brewery connecting railway) running through the city of Salzburg is to be upgraded for passenger transport.

route settings

With the timetable change in mid-December 2020, the section Waidhofen an der Ybbs Pestalozzistraße–Gstadt operated by NÖVOG ( Niederösterreichische Verkehrsorganisationsgesellschaft m. b. H.) was discontinued in Lower Austria . In Vienna , the northern loop of the line between Vienna Nordwestbahnhof and Vienna Brigittenau , which was used only for freight transport, was closed . The border sections between Rosenbach (Carinthia) and Jesenice (Karawanken Tunnel) in Slovenia and between Vils (Tyrol) and Pfronten-Steinach in Germany were also temporarily closed. The Karawanken Tunnel is being repaired and converted to single track. During this time, rail transport companies will have to accept longer diversions via Italy or , in Austria, via Graz . In the Außerfern region , electrification work is being carried out on the German side.

New buildings and extensions in 2019

2019 was marked by the further expansion of the high-performance network.

In addition to the expansion of the southern line with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway, the Pottendorf line is also being expanded as a feeder line to the high-speed line. After several years of construction, the Pottendorf line to Münchendorf was completed as a double-track line last year. Passenger trains can now travel on this section at 160 km/h.

The selective expansion of the Marchegg branch line, including electrification, also continued. The currently single-track, non-electrified line connects Vienna with the Slovak capital Bratislava (Pressburg).

route settings

Since the timetable change in mid-December 2019, passenger transport is no longer offered on 59 kilometers of the route network:

Freight transport will continue to operate to Aschach an der Donau and on the section between Gänserndorf and Pirawarth to Prottes .

New buildings and extensions in 2018

2018 was marked by the further expansion of the high-speed network and the extension of the regional network. In addition to the expansion of the southern line with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Line , the Pottendorf Line is also being expanded as a feeder line to the high-speed line.

In Upper Austria , the city regional railway in Gmunden was completed.

In the private railway sector, the former Anschlussbahn in Weiz was upgraded by Steiermärkische Landesbahnen to become the City-S-Bahn between Weiz Zentrum and Weiz Nord . Furthermore, the Gmunden–Vorchdorf-Eggenberg local railway was connected to the Gmunden tramway and is now marketed as the StadtRegioTram .

After three years of construction, the significantly expanded Wolfurt freight center was handed over to unaccompanied combined transport in 2018. Container trains can now enter the terminal without being split up.

New buildings and extensions in 2017

In 2017, work continued on expanding the high-speed network and extending the regional network. In addition to the expansion of the southern line with the Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Railway , the Pottendorf line is also being modernized as a feeder line to the high-speed line.

In Upper Austria, work continued on the city regional railway in Gmunden .

In 2017, the gap between the Wagram junction, St. Pölten, and the Rohr junction on the western line was closed. The 24.8-kilometer double-track line runs south of
St. Pölten along the A1 motorway and is intended to relieve St. Pölten of freight traffic. This new line is the first in Austria to be operated exclusively with ETCS
. At the end of 2017, the four-track eastern approach to the western axis at Linz Central Station was put into operation (completion in 2018). Work on the western side of this project began in 2017.

The three-track expansion between Salzburg and the German border station of Freilassing was also completed at the end of 2017, enabling much more frequent local transport between Salzburg and Bavaria. Previously, cross-border suburban rail services had to share the tracks with long-distance and freight trains. In the private railway network, construction work was completed on the selective two-track expansion between Weitwörth-Nußdorf and Oichtensiedlung on the Salzburg Local Railway.

New buildings and extensions in 2016

The year 2016 was marked by further expansion of the high-speed network and the regional network. In the high-speed network, the four-track western line between Vienna and the city limits of Linz ( with the exception of the St. Pölten bypass) was put into operation. In the regional network, a two-track section of the Salzburg local railway between Weitwörth-Nußdorf and Oichtensiedlung was opened to traffic.

route settings

The section between Klagenfurt and Rosenbach was closed in 2016 between Weizelsdorf and Rosenbach . This section was used as a diversion for the construction-related closure of the Karawankenbahn Villach–Rosenbach line. When the line via Faak am See is closed, the Spielfeld-Straß border crossing now serves as an alternative route.

Similarly, a section of the Gailtal Railwaybetween Hermagor and Kötschach-Mauthen, which opened in 1915, was closed, although there are plans to use the line for a nostalgic train service. In Neunkirchen in Lower Austria, the remaining section of the former local railway from Willendorf to Neunkirchen was closed . The first section is to be maintained as a connecting railway.