Austrian railway news – Page 4
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Metro Report InternationalConstruction of Wien tram Route 27 begins
AUSTRIA: Wien transport operator Wiener Linien has formally launched construction of tram Route 27, with opening planned for autumn 2025.
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Metro Report InternationalGraz signs ‘milestone’ tram contract
AUSTRIA: Operator Graz Linien formally signed a contract for Alstom to supply and maintain 15 Flexity trams on January 31, when the future styling was unveiled. Alstom had been selected for the contract in May 2023. Production is to be undertaken in Wien from later this ...
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NewsWien S-Bahn ring plans announced
AUSTRIA: The Wien municipality has announced plans to create an S-Bahn ring from 2032 by combining two services and upgrading a freight-only line for passenger use. The orbital service would be formed from the existing S80 and S45 services; S45 trains would be extended from Handelskai ...
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NewsÖBB orders the latest evolution of the Mireo EMU family
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways has placed a firm order for 70 electric multiple-units based on a development of Siemens Mobility’s established Mireo design. The €800m order announced on January 19 is the first to be placed under a €5bn 10-year framework agreement covering up to 540 ...
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In depthTrack Maintenance: Modular welding offers smoother running
Following service testing with the latest evolution of its proven APT 1500 R flash-butt welding head, Plasser & Theurer is now developing a modular range of carrier vehicles to optimise both design and utilisation.
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In depthResilient Infrastructure: Reducing rail noise with acoustically optimised crossings
The noise generated by trains passing over turnouts can pose problems for railways, particularly in residential areas. Laboratory trials have shown the potential benefits of high-damping polyurethane composites, and a field test is currently underway on the ÖBB network in Austria.
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NewsWestern section of Koralmbahn opens in southern Austria
AUSTRIA: The 53 km western section of the Koralmbahn in southwest Austria opened with the timetable change on December 10.
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In depthTechnology: Innovation must come faster
Wheel-rail interaction and the need to accelerate the pace of innovation were hot topics at the 48th Conference on Modern Rolling Stock held in Graz on September 17-19. Reinhard Christeller reports.
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NewsAustria announces €21bn rail investment plan
AUSTRIA: The federal government has announced a €21·1bn railway infrastructure investment plan for 2024–29, an increase on the previous plans to spend €19bn in 2023-28. This includes the addition of projects worth €1·5bn. ‘With this framework investment plan, we are securing the railway expansion programme in ...
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NewsThree Kiss EMUs ordered for use on Wien airport express
CAT order photo CAT and Stadler AUSTRIA: City Airport Train announced on October 13 the order of three Kiss double-deck electric multiple-units from Stadler for use on the CAT service in Wien. The order is an option on ÖBB’s €3bn framework agreement with Stadler for the ...
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NewsGo-Ahead sells German rail business to ÖBB
GERMANY: Go-Ahead Group has agreed to sell its German rail business to Austrian Federal Railways’ passenger division ÖBB-Personenverkehr, and is looking at options for the future of its Norwegian activities. Managing Director of Go-Ahead Deutschland Fabian Amini said ÖBB ‘has a good reputation in Germany’. The ...
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NewsTrial Ukraine – EU freight train gets semi-trailers off the roads
EUROPE: A trial freight train has carried semi-trailers from Ukraine to Budapest as ÖBB Rail Cargo Group develops plans to launch a regular TransFER intermodal freight connection between Kyiv, the Hungarian capital and Wien in partnership with Ukrainian national railway Ukrzaliznytsia.
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NewsNightjet unveiled as the ‘flagship of European night train traffic‘
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways has unveiled the first of its next generation of Nightjet fixed-formation loco-hauled trainsets for overnight trains, calling it ‘the new flagship of the European night train traffic’. The unveiling took place in the former Wien Nordwest station on September 30 as part ...
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NewsRCG steps up waste transport by rail
AUSTRIA: Rail Cargo Group reports a significant increase in the amount of waste being moved by rail following the introduction of legislation earlier this year. Amendments to the Waste Management Act (Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz) aimed at climate protection require that waste loads weighing more than 10 tonnes must ...
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NewsReplacement rolling stock components 3D printed
AUSTRIA: Faced with the need to source replacements for obsolete components which are used to reduce vibration and prevent dust and moisture ingress on multiple-units, Austrian Federal Railways’ rolling stock maintenance business ÖBB Train Tech approached Chromatic to discuss the possibility of using 3D printed parts. ...
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NewsÖBB and DB to enhance cross-border passenger train services
EUROPE: Citing a boom in rail traffic between Germany and Austria, ÖBB and DB have announced plans to increase long-distance cross-border services with effect from the December 10 timetable change.
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NewsAustrian Federal Railways announces framework agreement for 540 EMUs
AUSTRIA: ÖBB has selected Siemens Mobility as the winner of a framework contract covering the supply of up to 540 electric multiple-units. The 10-year agreement announced on August 31 is potentially worth more than €5bn. The single-deck EMUs will be based on the manufacturer’s Mireo family, ...
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NewsTrans-Alpine capacity crunch emerges amid Gotthard Base Tunnel repairs
SWITZERLAND: The Gotthard Base Tunnel and Brenner Pass trans-Alpine rail routes were closed for much of August. Although both have now at least partially reopened, operators are again being forced to assess how best to manage unexpected disruption. Toma Bačić reports.
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NewsAustrian ETCS roll-out advances
AUSTRIA: ÖBB-Infrastruktur and Siemens Mobility have commissioned ETCS Level 2 on the Linz – Wels – Vöcklabruck and Wels – Haiding routes as the first project under a 2021 framework agreement for a roll-out on main routes across the country. This will involve installing a total ...
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NewsÖBB confirms southeastern link to Wien airport
AUSTRIA: ÖBB Infrastruktur presented a final set of plans on July 15 for a 26 km long link from Bruck an der Leitha southeast of the capital to Wien airport. This would enable more long-distance and regional trains to serve the air hub.