The Liliputbahn is the name for a type of narrow-gauge park railway with a track width of 381 mm (15 inches), and the most famous example is the Prater Liliputbahn in Vienna. It is one of Vienna’s most beloved attractions and the oldest railway of its kind in continental Europe.
🚂 Quick Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Prater park, Vienna, Austria |
| Track Gauge | 381 mm (15 inches) |
| Opened | 1 May 1928 |
| Route Length | Approximately 4 km |
| Journey Time | About 20 minutes |
| Locomotives | 2 original steam locomotives (over 90 years old), 4 diesel locomotives (from the 1960s) |
| Stations | 4 (Prater Hauptbahnhof, Schweizerhaus-Luftburg, Rotunde, Ernst-Happel-Stadion) |
📜 History
The Prater Liliputbahn opened on 1 May 1928, originally built to commemorate the centenary of composer Franz Schubert’s death . The initial route ran for 2 km to the Rotunda Station. In 1933, the line was extended to almost double its length, reaching its current extent .
The railway survived both the economic crisis of the 1930s and the destruction of World War II. During the great Prater fire of 1945, the railway facilities were largely destroyed, but the steel steam locomotives survived almost unscathed. By 1947, the first train was running again on provisionally repaired tracks .
✨ The Experience
A ride on the Liliputbahn takes you through the Wurstelprater amusement park, through meadows and forests, and along the Prater Hauptallee. The open carriages offer a wonderful view of the surroundings, and the journey passes the iconic Riesenrad (Ferris wheel) at the start .
The railway’s two original steam locomotives, built in 1925 by the Munich-based Krauss & Co. company, are over 90 years old and are still in operation, primarily on weekends and holidays. The four diesel locomotives from the 1960s handle the daily service .
📅 Planning Your Visit
- Address: Prater 99, 1020 Vienna
- Season: The railway typically operates from mid-March through the end of October
- Operating Hours: During summer, the railway usually runs until 8 PM
- Special Events: The “Lange Nacht der Liliputbahn” (Long Night of the Liliputbahn) is held annually in August, with trains running until midnight and special night tickets availableÂ
- Tickets: Night tickets for the special event cost €9 for adults and €5 for children, including a glass of sparkling wine or a slushy ice for childrenÂ
🚂 Related Railway: Donauparkbahn
There is also a Donauparkbahn in Vienna’s Donaupark, which uses the same 381 mm gauge. However, it is not considered a true “Liliputbahn” because its locomotives are not scaled-down models of real trains. It was built for the 1964 Vienna International Garden Show and runs on a 3.34 km circular route with a maximum gradient of 28‰ .
The Donauparkbahn’s diesel locomotives (D1–D3) from 1963 are still in operation today. One of its trains was artistically designed on the theme of “peace” and includes a carriage that serves as an interactive guestbook where passengers can write their own peace messages .
I hope this gives you a good overview of the Liliputbahn! If you’d like more details on specific timetables or special events, feel free to ask.