While the ÖBB is reporting record passenger numbers, the anger about overcrowded trains is increasing – we reported. There is no sign of an improvement, at least not in the short term. The federal railways are investing 287 million euros in the Austrian rail network this year, with the focus on the urgently needed four-lane expansion of the western line. The final negotiations for the four-track expansion between Marchtrenk and Linz are underway, and work is already underway between Marchtrenk and Wels.
But a lot of money does not only flow into the main lines, but also into branch lines, such as the Almtalbahn. “58 million euros will be invested in the Almtalbahn in the coming years,” says FP Transport Minister Günther Steinkellner. The route between Wels and Sattledt will be electrified and made barrier-free, the stations and stops will be modernized and tracks renewed. That is why the route is closed from July 8th to 31st, and a rail replacement service will be on the way.
Trial operation was successful
But what about the part between Sattledt and Grünau? “The Cityjet Eco will be used there,” says Steinkellner about the train with electro-hybrid battery operation, which was already on the route in trial operation in autumn 2019. And the result was very positive. To explain: The train has a battery system on the roof, which charges itself on electrified sections via the pantograph with the traction current. On sections of track without electrification, the train is then powered by the battery. It is not clear when the battery train will be on its way, “that also depends on when the electrification will be completed by Sattledt,” says Steinkellner. The ÖBB is also struggling with the same problems as other sectors, namely finding enough employees and getting the necessary material.
In addition to the Almtalbahn, the Salzkammergutbahn from Stainach-Irdning (Styria) to Attnang-Puchheim will also be modernized, with an investment of 212 million euros by 2028. The train stations will also be modernized and passenger information systems will be installed. The same applies to the Hausruckbahn (as the northern section of the Salzkammergutbahn is called) between Attnang-Puchheim and Schärding, where 73 million euros are being invested. Stern & Hafferl is also investing around nine million euros in its railway lines, in the Vorchdorferbahn between Lambach and Vorchdorf. Dynamic passenger information systems are installed here.
In addition, a substation will be built in Stadl-Paura to strengthen the traction power supply for the planned use of LILO vehicles from 2026.
Source: Nachrichten
