Schneebergbahn (rack railway)
| Puchberg – Hochschneeberg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 A salamander set of the Schneebergbahn above the Baumgartner station.
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| Route number : | 198 01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Course book route (ÖBB) : | 523 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route length: | 9.805 km | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gauge : | 1000 mm ( meter gauge ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maximum slope : | 196 ‰ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum radius : | 80 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rack system : | System dept | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top speed: | 24 km / h | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The rack railway to the Hochschneeberg is one of three still existing rack railways in Austria and is a continuation of the Schneeberg Railway. It has been operated by Niederösterreichische Schneebergbahn GmbH (NÖSBB) since January 1st, 1997 . Since then, the NÖSBB has only been marketing the cogwheel railway part of the route that belongs to it under the name Schneebergbahn .
The cog railway has been running on the Schneeberg in Lower Austria since September 25, 1897 . With a gauge of one meter, it is the longest cogwheel railway in Austria with a 9.7 km stretch and with the terminus Hochschneeberg at 1795 meters above sea level, it is the highest station in Austria. The valley station is 577 meters above sea level. The train overcomes a height difference of 1218 meters. The maximum gradient is 19.7 percent.
history
In the second half of the 19th century, mountain tourism came into fashion. The first refuges in the Schneeberg area already counted around 10,000 visitors per year at that time. The construction of a rack railway was an obvious step. As early as 1872 there were the first plans to build a cog railway on the Schneeberg. In 1885 engineer Tauber received a pre-license for the railway line from Wr. Neustadt to Puchberg am Schneeberg. On the basis of the concession document of September 25, 1895, for the local railway from Wiener-Neustadt to the Schneeberg with a branch to Wöllersdorf (Schneebergbahn) , construction of the Puchberg station began on December 9, 1895 under the direction of the Viennese engineer Leo Arnoldi . The first section to Baumgartner was opened on June 1, 1897, the remaining section to Hochschneeberg on September 25, 1897.
On January 1st, 1899, the Vienna-Aspang Railway (EWA) took over the entire facilities and operations. On June 18, 1902, Emperor Franz Josef I visited the Schneeberg Railway and took it to the Hochschneeberg. He visited the hotel of the same name, which opened in 1898, near the terminus, as well as the Elisabeth Church . The hotel still exists today under the name Berghaus Hochschneeberg .
On July 1, 1937, the operation was taken over by the Austrian Federal Railways (BBÖ) (which resulted in "the amendment of some provisions of the concession document of September 25, 1895"), but the facility remained in the possession of the EWA. After it was incorporated into the Deutsche Reichsbahn in 1938, the Schneebergbahn was also taken over by the latter. On January 1, 1940, the rack railway was nationalized and added to the property of the Reichsbahn by the Reich Minister of Transport without payment to the shareholders.
After the war ended in 1945, the state railways continued to operate the Schneeberg Railway. In 1947 the re-established Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) took over the operation and ran it almost unchanged, i.e. exclusively with steam locomotives until the end of 1996.
| Lower Austrian Schneebergbahn GmbH (NÖSBB) | |
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| legal form | GmbH |
| founding | January 1, 1997 |
| Seat | Puchberg am Schneeberg |
| Branch | Rail operations |
| Website | schneebergbahn.at |
On January 1, 1997, a partnership was established between the Niederösterreichische Verkehrsorganisations-Ges.mbH (NÖVOG) and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), which took over the operation of the rack railway. The new name of the company is Niederösterreichische Schneebergbahn GmbH (NÖSBB). Only the infrastructure remained in the possession of the ÖBB.
In October 1998 a new workshop building was built at Puchberg train station. New vehicles were ordered in the same year. In the 1999 season, on July 24th, the new Salamander railcars were used for the first time alongside the traditional steam locomotives. On September 11, 1999, they were christened at a ceremony and the new workshop officially opened. In order to improve the infrastructure for the Berghaus Hochschneeberg, the construction of the water supply and wastewater disposal system on the mountain was started (which until then had only been done by train), so that by 2003 all huts along the route were connected to the sewer system and the water supply could become. In the course of this, a new power line and fiber optic cable were also installed between Puchberg and the Berghaus Hochschneeberg . This meant that the supply and disposal trips that the railway had previously carried out in the traffic-free period were no longer necessary. By 2009 the Damböckhaus and the Fischerhütte could also be connected. Since 2003, it has also been possible to order tickets for the Schneebergbahn online.
In December 2010, the infrastructure of the Schneebergbahn was taken over by the state of Lower Austria as part of an infrastructure takeover pact. However, this did not result in any noteworthy changes in rail operations.
The railway has been 100% owned by NÖVOG since 2012 .
vehicles
Steam train
-Ganzstahl-Personenwagen-B_SZ-(260805).jpg)
For 102 years the Schneebergbahn was operated exclusively with steam locomotives. These 200 hp locomotives of the 999 series are in service to this day with minor modifications. They have the red and black paint applied to them during the ÖBB era.
To cope with the 1218 vertical meters on the 9800 meter long route, the steam train with a total weight of 36 tons requires 700 kg of coal and 4500 liters of water, whereby 1500 liters have to be carried at the Baumgartner station .
The Schneebergbahn originally had five steam locomotives. In 1974 a locomotive of the Schafbergbahn was transferred to Puchberg due to the increased volume of traffic . (Sold to Salzburg AG in 2007) As a result, the fleet was expanded to include two new lightweight steel wagons. All locomotives were given name tags: 999.01 - Kaiserstein; 999.02 - monastery coat of arms; 999.03 - wax bar; 999.04 - stallion; 999.05 - Puchberg; 999.101 - Schneeberg.
In today's nostalgic timetable, only one locomotive is usually fired on public holidays and Sundays from July to September and on request. A steam train brings two of the dark green passenger cars with 100 seats to the Schneeberg. The 999.03 and 999.05 are currently (2019) operational.
Salamander railcar
.JPG)
On September 11, 1999, two “Salamander” railcars and an additional power car, numbers 11 to 13, were officially put into operation. For the design it was required that it also create a reference to the nature of the Schneeberg region. Since the rush was very large over several seasons (130,000 guests per year), the Lower Austrian provincial government decided in 2008 to purchase another “Salamander” multiple unit, which has been in service since 2010, as part of a total investment of € 4 million. A 30.41 m long, 41.25 tonne and up to 15 km / h fast set consists of a control car, intermediate car and power end with 544 kW power.
Sidecar for goods transport
Since 2006, the railcars have also been taking freight trailers with them to the Schneeberg. The sidecars are called "baby salamanders" because their design and shape resemble a scaled-down salamander railcar. This is how the railway supplies the huts on the Schneeberg. After some initial problems were resolved, the first vehicle has proven itself in use. Another was put into operation in 2008.
Diesel-electric construction locomotive
Since May 2010, one of the two 14–15 cogwheel diesel locomotives manufactured by Stadler Rail has also been in use. The second of the ordered locomotives, number 15, was leased to the Schafbergbahn and sold in 2012.
This locomotive can be operated remotely and, as it also has electrical and compressed air connections, is used for track work. Since it is also used as a reserve vehicle in passenger transport at peak times, its exterior design was also kept in the "salamander look". In addition, the two all-steel passenger cars have been adapted, making a fourth train composition available.
Preparation for the season
So that the trips can be kept on schedule at the beginning of the season, the heavy work of clearing the track from the snow masses begins weeks beforehand. Until 1964, snow was cleared exclusively with a wedge plow. Then the locomotive made its way through the snow with a high-performance snow blower that did not drive itself. In order to be able to carry out more effective snow clearing today, a tractor with a built-in snow blower has been used to clear the track system since 1993.
route
The journey to the Schneeberg begins at the train station in Puchberg am Schneeberg (577 m). After about one kilometer, the train comes to the “Hengsttal” stop. This station was rebuilt in 2008 and the name was changed from Schneebergdörfl to Hengsttal . The occasion was the opening of the gallery of the artist Voka near the station. After the “Hengsttal” station, the train climbs the “Hengst” mountain, the foothills of the Schneeberg.
After about a third of the route, the Hauslitzsattel stop , a company switch , follows . The turnouts are now radio controlled and can be operated from the locomotive. When only steam trains were in use, there was also a water tank at this stop, which was dismantled due to lack of demand.
After almost half of the distance has been covered, the cogwheel train reaches the “ Hengsthütte ” station at an altitude of 1012 m. The stallion hut, located close to the station, is managed all year round.
After the “Hengsthütte” station, the “Am Hengst” water point is at km 5.0. Here on September 4th, 1989, an operating turnout with a usable track length of 60 meters was opened, which made operations easier.
At 5.9 km the train reaches the “Ternitzerhütte” stop at an altitude of 1,231 meters. When visibility is good, passengers at the Köhlerhaus have one of the most beautiful views of the Schneeberg massif with the 1888 m high wax bar. At this point, the train changes the mountain: from the stallion it goes over a dam to the Schneeberg.
After 7.3 km the cogwheel train reaches the " Baumgartner station " at an altitude of 1397 m. The five-minute stop is used by many passengers to fortify themselves with the well-known Buchteln of the hut landlord. The station is also an alternative point and water station for the steam trains, the only one that is still in use. Although the railcars do not have to hold water here, the traditional stopover has been retained on these trains as well. When only steam trains were in use, each locomotive had to refuel 1,500 liters at one of the original three water stations. The water had to be brought to the water containers by train. In the meantime, however, a water pipe has been installed so that sufficient water is available at all times.
Immediately after Baumgartner station, the train travels over a stone embankment known as the "Hohe Mauer", the beginning of the steepest part of the route, which is almost entirely within the maximum gradient of 200 per thousand. Here, safety rails are installed in several sections next to the tracks to prevent the wagons from derailing and falling (e.g. due to gusts of wind). The railway passes through one of Austria's most important drinking water resources, the headwaters of the Kaiserbrunnenquelle in Höllental , which feeds the first Viennese spring water pipeline . That is why the entire Schneeberg was declared a water protection area. After crossing the tree line at an altitude of 1660 m, the railway penetrates the high alpine zone of the Schneeberg. When the view is clear, the passenger can see the panorama of Krummbachstein and Rax before the train enters one of the two spiral tunnels.
The spiral tunnels were built primarily to minimize the need to clear snow. Especially in this passage, walls of snow (guarding) can reach enormous heights. With every meter that the train gains altitude, the passenger is presented with an ever wider view of the surrounding landscape up to the Semmering and the Schneealpe. Finally, after crossing the second spiral tunnel, the cogwheel train reaches the terminus Hochschneeberg after 9.7 km at an altitude of 1796 m. From here, until the 1980s, a short field railway led to the Berghaus Hochschneeberg, on which the freight from the Berghaus was transported with a manually pushed cart. This was replaced by an extension of the rack railway track.
Train stations
Puchberg am Schneeberg station
Originally, the Schneebergbahn had a boiler house to accommodate the six steam locomotives, which also served as a workshop, and a wooden wagon hall for the passenger cars. A storage and workshop hall built according to modern principles has been available since the 1999 season, and the office building has been renovated. The salamander railcars and three steam locomotives are housed and serviced in this new building. Almost all work is done here by the Lower Austrian Schneebergbahn on its own. The old wagon hall is used to accommodate machines that are not currently in use and also for passenger cars.
Hochschneeberg station
Initially there was no train station building at the mountain station on Hochschneeberg, but a small building was later built here to accommodate the staff, which was used as a mountain station until 2007. Since this no longer met the requirements, the Lower Austrian provincial government decided to build a terminal station on the Schneeberg plateau. Construction began in summer 2007 and was completed in spring 2009. Commissioning was on March 25th. The grand opening of the mountain railway station did not take place until July 17, 2009. With this opening, the route was 133 meters longer.
Fares
In 2019, the fare for an ascent and descent without a discount was 38 euros per person. A steam surcharge of 9 euros was levied. In the following year, 2020, the fare was increased by almost 8%: a ride up and down without a discount costs 41 euros per person. The steam surcharge was increased to 10 euros.
Fire on the Schneeberg
In August 1992, flying sparks from the chimney of a steam locomotive set off a fire on Hochschneeberg. A wildfire followed, which was favored by the persistent drought. The extinguishing work was difficult because there is no water on the mountain. Several fire departments from the surrounding area helped fight the fire, and helicopters and the cogwheel train itself were also used. Traces of the fire were still visible in the landscape in 2008.
literature
- Commercial report on the expected profitability of the localbahn: Wr. Neustadt-Fischau-Wöllersdorf-Puchberg-Schneeberg. Ing.Tauber, Vienna 1893, OBV .
- Protocol of the Imperial and Royal Lower Austrian Lieutenancy of August 16, 1895, recorded in Fischau (the political inspection of the section of the Schneeberg Railway from Wr. Neustadt via Fischau to Wöllersdorf.) Kaiser, Vienna 1895, OBV .
- L. Gassebner: Report on the club excursion to the Schneeberg on October 16, 1897 . In: Paul Kortz (Red.): Journal of the Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects . Volume 49.1897, issue 45. Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects, Vienna 1897, ZDB -ID 2534647-7 , p. 655 f. - Full text online (PDF; 13.2 MB) .
- A (lois) Adam: Illustrated guide on the Schneebergbahn Wr. Neustadt-Puchberg-Hochschneeberg with parts in this area and historical notes by A (lois) Adam and F (erdinand) Bürkle (etc.) A. Hartleben, Vienna 1898, OBV .
- Leo Woerl: Guide through Wiener Neustadt and the surrounding area together with a guide on the Schneeberg Railway. (With attached map) . 2nd edition, Woerls travel books publisher, Leipzig 1904, OBV .
- Schneebergbahn near Vienna. Photographs by Heinrich Schuhmann in Vienna . KK Priv. Railway, Vienna-Aspang 1906, OBV .
- Siegmund Schneider: The Schneebergbahn near Vienna. Publishing house of the kk priv. Eisenbahn, Vienna-Aspang 1909, OBV .
- Alfred Luft, Club 760 (ed.): 75 years of the Schneebergbahn. 1897-1972 . Association of Friends of the Murtalbahn, Murau 1972, OBV .
- Hans Peter Pawlik, Josef Otto Slezak: Schneebergbahn near Vienna . Railway collection booklet, Volume 18. Slezak, Vienna 1985, ISBN 3-85416-117-4 .
- Hans Graf, Othmar Bamer: Cogwheel mountain railways in Austria. This volume covers the Jenbach - Achensee, St. Wolfgang - Schafbergspitze and Puchberg am Schneeberg - Berghaus Hochschneeberg routes . Revised edition. Bahn im Bild, Volume 23. Pospischil, Vienna 1994, OBV .
- Thomas Fleißig: Rack railways in Austria. Achenseebahn, Schafbergbahn, Schneebergbahn . Railway picture archive, volume 10. EK-Verlag, Freiburg i. Br. 2004, ISBN 3-88255-349-9 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f film: The new salamander
- ↑ RGBl 1895/156. In: Reichsgesetzblatt for the kingdoms and states represented in the Reichsrath , year 1895, pp. 589–592. (Online at ANNO ). .
- ↑ Federal Law Gazette 1937/197. In: Federal Law Gazette for the Federal State of Austria , year 1937, p. 879 f. (Online at ANNO ). .
- ↑ Federal Law Gazette 1937/471. In: Federal Law Gazette for the Federal State of Austria , year 1937, p. 1978 f. (Online at ANNO ). .
- ↑ The Schneebergbahn. Retrieved November 13, 2019 .
- ↑ Wasser- und Abwassergenossenschaft Schneeberg on the website of the Austrian Tourist Club Neunkirchen, accessed on August 13, 2010.
- ↑ June 2009 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on the Puchberg website, accessed on August 13, 2010.
- ↑ Schneebergbahn on the track of success on ORF from April 7, 2012, accessed on April 7, 2012.
- ↑ a b c film: Alpine steam
- ↑ Timetable steam train 2020. Accessed on November 13, 2019 .
- ↑ Information about the vehicles on the company's website, accessed on July 28, 2019
- ↑ a b tourism (...) total investment of around four million euros . In: noe.orf.at , June 25, 2008, accessed on September 28, 2010.
- ^ New locomotive for the Schneeberg Railway . In: Narrowspur-europa.at , November 2009, accessed on June 13, 2011.
Web links
- www.puchberg.at
- www.schneebergbahn.at
- www.wieneralpen.at
- www.niederösterreich.at
- Early documents and newspaper articles on the Schneeberg Railway in the 20th Century press kit of the ZBW - Leibniz Information Center for Economics .
Coordinates: 47 ° 45 ′ 15.2 " N , 15 ° 50 ′ 14.6" E