Taurachbahn

The Taurachbahn is a narrow-gauge heritage steam railway in the Lungau region of Salzburg, Austria. It’s notable for being Austria’s highest narrow-gauge railway and is operated entirely by volunteers from the Club 760 association.

🚂 Quick Overview

Aspect	Details
Location	Lungau, Salzburg, Austria
Route	Mauterndorf – St. Andrä (approximately 10 km)
Track Gauge	760 mm (Bosnian gauge)
Opened	1988 (as museum railway)
Operated By	Club 760 (volunteer association)
Season	Late June to mid-September
Special Feature	Austria’s highest narrow-gauge railway

📜 History

The Taurachbahn operates on a section of the former Murtalbahn between Tamsweg and Mauterndorf. This section was closed in 1981 after heavy damage to a bridge . The Club 760 association leased the line on 1 April 1982, and volunteers spent five years restoring it. The Taurachbahn opened as a museum railway on 9 July 1988 .

✨ The Experience

The steam train journey takes you through the picturesque Taurachtal valley in the Lungau region, offering a nostalgic experience for all ages . The route passes through stations including Gröbendorf, Mariapfarr, and Lintsching before reaching St. Andrä-Andlwirt .

Onboard highlights:

• Taurachbar: A newly renovated bar carriage (completed 2026) offering regional products 
• Historic carriages: Restored wooden carriages from the early 20th century
• Multiple steam locomotives: Including the former Ischlerbahnlok S12, the Styrian “Thörl,” and the Heeresfeldbahnlok 22 

📅 Planning Your Visit

2026 Season:

• Start Date: 27 June 2026 
• Operating Days: Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) at 14:00 from Mauterndorf; additionally Fridays with departures at 10:00 and 14:00 during peak season (mid-July to mid-August) 
• Journey Time: Approximately 40 minutes one way 
• Number of Trips: Around 100 scheduled trains per season 

Tickets & Reservations:

• Group reservations (10+ people) recommended via email: reservierung@taurachbahn.eu 
• Special trains can be booked for private occasions (minimum 14 days advance notice) 

Special Offers:

• Membership: €60 per person, with additional family members at €30 each; children and grandchildren up to age 15 

💰 Funding and Support

The Taurachbahn operates on an annual budget of approximately €60,000, which covers operations and necessary repairs to buildings, vehicles, and the track. However, funding for major track maintenance remains a challenge, and the association relies on support from the Salzburg provincial government, the region, and tourism . The railway receives approximately 15,000 passengers per season .

🔗 Connection to Murtalbahn

The Taurachbahn is an Anschlussbahn (connecting railway) to the Murtalbahn. Its future depends on the continued operation of the Murtalbahn to Tamsweg—if the Murtalbahn were to cease operations, the Taurachbahn would also be affected .

📍 Contact Information

• Website: www.taurachbahn.eu
• Email: reservierung@taurachbahn.eu
• Phone: (0043) 6606757628

I hope this gives you a good overview of the Taurachbahn! If you’d like more details on specific timetables or the steam locomotives used, feel free to ask.