St Polten depot, Mariazellerbahn

Austria - 2012

The Mariazellerbahn 760mm gauge electrified main line runs 85 kilometres from St. Polten to Mariazell. The main line terminus at St Polten connects with the Westbahn to Vienna and Salzburg via Linz. The 'valley' section of the line runs as far as Laubenbachmuhle from where the 'mountain' section continues to the southern terminus at Mariazell. There is an un-electrified branch which leaves the main line at branch at Ober-Grafendorf. There are plans to reintroduce trains over this section. Motive power consists of some modern DMUs of class VT5090 plus two modern EMUs of class ET4090. Of much greater interest are the fleet of 1099 class C-C electric locos which are now over 100 years old. Delivered between 1911 and 1914 these 15 locos provide motive power for many of the trains. Modernised in the 1960s these historic locos were a 'must see' for railway enthusiasts. Also of interest are the 2095 class B-B diesels which were built between 1958 and 1962. The passenger rolling stock is also of interest with many coaches as ancient as the electric locos. Once owned and operated by Austrian State Railways (OBB) the line is now managed by NOVOG which is part of the Verkehrsverbund Niederosterreich-Burgenland (Lower Austria and Burgenland Transport Association). These images were taken in early April 2012 when the mountain line was undergoing some extensive work with rail services on the upper section replaced with buses. The power was also switched off leaving all the electric locos back at the depot. 2013 will see the introduction of modern EMUs hence the upgrading of the track and overhead power provision.

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