After disastrous floods hit Austria in September, the country’s rail infrastructure was left with unprecedented damage, especially in the northeast, in the area of the capital Vienna. Both the new and old lines making up the Westbahn, one of Austria’s main rail freight arteries, for example, were significantly impacted. The ‘old’ line has officially reopened today, while it will be necessary to wait until 15 December for the ‘new’ one.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) gave an update on the situation. As of today, 10 October 2024, the “transitional timetable for the ‘old’ western route comes into force”. Between 4 and 9 November, the newer line will start gradually reopening. First, it will be the turn of the areas near the Wienerwald and Lainzer Tunnels, in the outskirts of Vienna. Then, five days later, rail traffic will be reinstated between Vienna Hütteldorf and Vienna Central Station, between Tulln and Tullnerfeld.
All these partial reopening, however, are most favourable for rail passengers as they can be combined with substitutive bus services. For rail freight services, especially international ones, it will be necessary to wait for the full reopening of the new Westbahn, connecting Vienna and St. Pölten via Tullnerfeld. This will include the return to service of the Atzenbrugger tunnel, one of the pieces of infrastructure most damaged by the recent floods. Managing to reopen the new Westbahn by mid-December is a “small Christmas miracle”, as restoration works have been going faster than expected.
