The Ybbstalbahn is a historic narrow-gauge railway in Lower Austria, and today its mountain section (Bergstrecke) survives as a museum railway known as the Ă–tscherland-Express. It is one of Austria’s most scenic heritage railways, famous for its two steel trestle bridges.
đźš‚ Quick Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lower Austria, between Kienberg-Gaming and Lunz am See |
| Track Gauge | 760 mm (Bosnian gauge) |
| Heritage Route | Kienberg-Gaming – Lunz am See (17 km) |
| Journey Time | Approximately 70 minutes |
| Operated By | Ă–sterreichische Gesellschaft fĂĽr Lokalbahnen (Ă–GLB) |
| Owner | NÖVOG (Niederösterreichische Verkehrsorganisationsges.m.b.H.) |
đź“ś Current Status and Restoration
The Ybbstalbahn’s mountain section was facing an uncertain future. After years of negotiations, the Lower Austrian provincial government approved a €750,000 funding package in July 2025 to restore the historic line . The infrastructure remains owned by NĂ–VOG, while the Ă–GLB operates the museum railway under a lease agreement .
Restoration work has been carried out largely by volunteers since autumn 2025. The main task involves replacing thousands of wooden sleepers with steel ones—approximately 5,300 sleepers must be swapped between Pfaffenschlag and Lunz am See . A damaged retaining wall also needed repair .
As of late August 2026, the full reopening to Lunz am See has been delayed. While the section between Pfaffenschlag and Lunz is largely complete, a track tamping machine from Plasser & Theurer was scheduled for mid-September to finish the work . Until then, trains operate only between Kienberg-Gaming and Pfaffenschlag .
✨ The Experience
The route’s standout features are its two Trestlework bridges—steel trestle structures unique in Austria and Europe for their high-mountain character . The line climbs through the picturesque Ă–tscherland region, with the Lunzer See (Lake Lunz) as its destination, a designated nature jewel .
đź“… Planning Your Visit
- Season: The museum railway operates from early June to late October, on Saturdays and SundaysÂ
- Current Route (2026): Due to restoration delays, trains run only between Kienberg-Gaming and Pfaffenschlag until the full line to Lunz am See reopens (expected autumn 2026)Â
- Timetable: Departure from Kienberg-Gaming at 10:00, arriving Lunz am See at 11:10 (once full service resumes)Â
- Future Plans: Steam locomotives are planned for regular service starting in 2027, including the historic Locomotive 598 built specifically for the YbbstalbahnÂ
I hope this gives you a good overview of the Ybbstalbahn! If you’d like more details on specific timetables or the restoration progress, feel free to ask.