Austrian railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Austria.
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NewsWabtec finalises acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group
AUSTRIA: Wabtec has finalised its previously announced acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group, which supplies train detection, wayside object control and axle-counting systems.
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NewsA European rolling stock ‘oligopoly’ is harming railway companies and passengers, says open access operator
EUROPE: Open access operator Westbahn has described the European rolling stock market as an ‘oligopoly’ dominated by a few manufacturers, leading to reduce choice, long delivery times and high costs.
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NewsCER Cargo Group to buy Austrian rail freight operator WLC
AUSTRIA: Hungarian rail freight company CER Cargo Group has agreed to acquire Wiener Lokalbahnen Cargo.
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NewsWestbahn to put Chinese-built double-deck trainsets into service soon
AUSTRIA: Following a long approval process, four double-deck electric multiple units supplied by China’s CRRC are to enter passenger service with Westbahn in the coming weeks.
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NewsSiemens Mobility increases use ‘green steel’ in rolling stock production
EUROPE: Siemens Mobility is working with Voestalpine to increase the share of lower-emission ‘green steel’ it uses in rolling stock production.
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NewsPlasser & Theurer invests in apprentices to tackle skills shortage
AUSTRIA: ‘If we need skilled employees, it is up to the company to train them and invest in the qualification of its young talent’, Plasser & Theurer CEO Johannes Max-Theurer said at the opening of a €1m apprentice training centre at the track machine manufacturer’s Linz site.
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NewsAlpha Trains orders more electro-diesel locomotives for use in Germany and Austria
EUROPE: Leasing company Alpha Trains has awarded Siemens Mobility a firm order to supply and maintain a further 15 Vectron Dual Mode electro-diesel freight locomotives.
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NewsParis to Wien and Berlin night trains to end after French government withdraws subsidy
EUROPE: The Paris – Wien and Paris – Berlin sleeper train services are to end with the December 14 2025 timetable change, following the French Ministry of Transport’s decision to withdraw funding for their operation.
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NewsBrenner Base Tunnel exploratory bore broken through
EUROPE: A celebratory event has marked the breakthrough of the exploratory tube of what will be the world’s longest railway tunnel.
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NewsGraz-Köflacher Bahn launches electric trains to Wies-Eibiswald
AUSTRIA: Graz-Köflacher Bahn has begun electric operation of S-Bahn Steiermark service S6 from Graz Hbf via Hengsberg and Wettmannstätten to Wies-Eibiswald.
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NewsFirst rail made with hydrogen-reduced steel laid in Austria
AUSTRIA: What steelmaker Voestalpine says is the world’s first steel rail produced with net-zero CO2 emissions using mix of scrap and hydrogen-reduced pure iron has been laid at Linz Hauptbahnhof.
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In depthDesign: Creating more than just a night train
The development of more flexible rolling stock that could be deployed on day and night services offers economic and timetabling benefits, as well as attracting more long-distance travellers to rail, suggests Harald Buschbacher.
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NewsOrders adjusted to include more day and fewer night trains
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways and Siemens Mobility have amended contracts for the supply of new passenger stock, increasing the number of day trains on order and reducing the number of night trains.
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NewsWabtec to acquire Frauscher Sensor Technology Group for €675m
AUSTRIA: Wabtec has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire train detection, lineside equipment control and axle counting system supplier Frauscher Sensor Technology Group from Delachaux and Frauscher CEO Michael Thiel.
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NewsÖBB and Stadler launch Railjet Kisses
AUSTRIA: ÖBB and Stadler have unveiled the first double-deck Kiss trainsets for use on Railjet-branded services radiating from Wien.
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NewsItaly – Germany high speed train service to launch in December 2026
EUROPE: An agreement for the operation of direct Frecciarossa high speed train services linking Italy and Germany via Austria has been signed by national operators Trenitalia, DB and ÖBB.
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NewsÖBB launches Railjet refurbishment programme
AUSTRIA: The first generation of Austrian Federal Railways’ Railjet push-pull trainsets are undergoing mid-life refurbishment after more than 15 years of service. ‘The upgrade of our Railjets is an important step in modernising the existing fleet and adapting it to the standards of the new-generation Railjets’, ...
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NewsWien pilots parcel delivery by tram passengers
AUSTRIA: The city of Wien and municipal operator Wiener Linien have launched the Öffi-Packerl trial that will see passengers transport parcels on selected tram routes in the north of the city.
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NewsTrain to the plane partnership
AUSTRIA: The Star Alliance of 25 airlines has integrated Austrian Federal Railways services between Wien airport and Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck into its booking processes. Air passengers can check in online or at ÖBB travel centres and receive boarding passes for both flight and train ...
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NewsSemmering Base Tunnel slab track contract awarded
AUSTRIA: ÖBB-Infrastruktur has awarded a consortium of Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group and Porr Group a €76m contract to install slab track in the 27·3 km twin-bore Semmering Base Tunnel. The contract covers 55 km of slab track, as well as additional ballasted track, noise protection, substructure ...
