The ÖBB railway network was hit hard by the floods in eastern Austria. Now the heavy rain has stopped, the water is receding and the damage can be assessed. Lower Austria in particular has been massively affected by the flooding in large parts. The extent of the damage varies from region to region - the repair work is prioritised according to the routes.
Gradual restart of the western route by 15 December 2024
The four-track western line was massively affected by heavy rainfall and storms, especially the ‘new western line’ between Vienna and St. Pölten, which is of great importance for passenger and freight transport. Within 5 days, half a year's worth of rain fell in Lower Austria (360 to 400 litres per square metre). The last time there was this amount of precipitation in Austria was before the railway was built. This is therefore in a range of probability outside the Austrian building standard, which is 100-year rainfall.
Thanks to the efforts of the past few days, the ‘old’ western line through the Vienna Woods has been single-track again since 18 September. The opening of the second track of the old western line on 10 October will ease the situation. From then on, the return to the usual service will take place in several steps:
- 10.10.2024: Transitional timetable for the ‘old’ western line comes into force
- 04.11.2024: ‘new’ western route in the Wienerwald Tunnel and Lainzer Tunnel area re-commissioned: shuttle service Vienna Westbahnhof - Tullnerfeld (CJX5)
- 09.11.2024: S80 Vienna Hütteldorf - Vienna Central Station recommissioned, S40 between Tulln - Tullnerfeld resumed, continued rail replacement service with buses Tullnerfeld - Traismauer - St. Pölten Central Station
- 15.12.2024: Full commissioning of the ‘new’ western line Vienna - Tullnerfeld - St. Pölten including Atzenbrugger Tunnel, commissioning of S50 Vienna Westbahnhof - Eichgraben-Altlengbach, commissioning of S40 Tullnerfeld - Traismauer - St. Pölten
You can find information for passengers here.
More capacity created for freight transport
The route between Tulln an der Donau via Tullnerfeld to Herzogenburg has been open to freight traffic since 28 September. This means that, in addition to the trains on the ‘old western route’, additional goods trains can also run on the Danube axis during the day at night. This solution provides up to 75% of the usual capacity for freight transport, instead of the previous 25%. This will ensure the continued security of supply for Austrian and European industry. ÖBB asks for your understanding that, due to the current situation, more goods trains will also be travelling on the above-mentioned routes at night.
Tullnerfeld railway station in reduced operation
Step by step, the Tullnerfeld railway station is also coming back to life. Thanks to a replacement power supply, the station technology and customer information centre have been put back into operation. The platforms at the station can be reopened for the planned shuttle service to Vienna from 4 November 2024. However, due to the damage to the lifts, access is not barrier-free until further notice. The Park&Ride facility at Tullnerfeld station is open again.
Tunnel renovations in full swing - 4-week closure in mid-2025
In the Lainzer Tunnel and the Hadersdorf junction, essential equipment will be maintained or replaced by 4 November 2024 and the line will then be open to rail traffic again.
After pumping out the water and cleaning the coarse sludge in the Atzenbrugg tunnel, it was now possible to assess the damage. Numerous technical components have to be replaced in this high-tech tunnel so that trains can once again travel through at speeds of up to 230 km/h from 15 December.
The new western line between Vienna and St. Pölten is expected to be closed for around 4 weeks in mid-2025. Final repair work will be carried out here. Trains will then be rerouted via the ‘old’ western line again.