Currently, there are three operational rack railways in Austria. All Austrian rack railways are very popular mountain railways famous for scenic routes and an unique atmosphere. Formerly, part of the Erzbergbahn route in Styria also had rack, but now it is a regular standard gauge tourist railway.
Achenseebahn – a rack railway with a rail gauge of 1000 mm running around Lake Achensee in Tyrol. The railway was built in 1889 and two steam locomotives have been preserved since then. The old locomotives are still operational. The railway survived two world wars intact; the only damage was caused by a fire in the locomotive shed in 2008. Probably it is the oldest rack railway with continuously operating steam locomotives. The route between Jenbach and Seespitz stations is 6.78 km long and the height difference is 440 meters.
Achenseebahn – official website
Schafbergbahn – A popular rack railway located about 50 km from Salzburg. The rack railway line leads from Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut on Lake Wolfgangsee to the Schafberg peak, 1,783 m above sea level. The railway has been operating since 1893, and currently, in addition to steam locomotives, there are also diesel locomotives and railbuses on the route. The length of the route is 5.85 km, the height difference between the start and end stations is approximately 1,200 meters, and the maximum slope is 26%. Rail gauge 1000 mm. The one-way journey takes 40 minutes.
Passengers praise the beautiful views from the top of Schafberg and the rack railway, but they also point out the long queues to the ticket office in the summer season and the overcrowded carriages. Ticket prices are relatively high.
Schafbergbahn – official website
Schneebergbahn – The longest of the operating Austrian rack railways and the youngest, put into operation in 1897. The Schneebergbahn rack railway carry passengers from the town of Puchberg am Schneeberg to the Schneeberg peak (2,076 m above sea level). Tourists can reach Puchberg am Schneeberg by suburban trains from Wiener Neustadt, which is perfectly connected with Vienna by rail. The railway covers a distance of 9.85 km in 40 minutes. According to the timetable, it stops at 3 stops along the way. Tickets are expensive, but the expense is compensated by the views from the top.
Currently, modern, air-conditioned trains run in regular traffic, while steam locomotives with retro wagons are launched on selected days and a special tariff applies to journeys on retro trains.
Schneebergbahn – official website
The first rack railway in Austria was built to Kahlenberg in Vienna and opened in 1874. The track climbed 316 meters over 5.5 km and started from the train station in Nußdorf. The line was closed in 1920.
Related articles:
Train travel in Austria
Narrow-gauge railways in Austria
Scenic railways in Austria
