Semmering Railway

ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)
Austria
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The Journey

Navigate from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag across a span of 42km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Kalte Rinne Viaduct (most dramatic — 28m height, tight curve)
  • Krauselklause Viaduct
  • Semmering Pass Summit (980m)
  • Alpine tunnel sequences
  • Panorama at Payerbach
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    0.75 hours

  • Distance

    42 km

  • Est. Price

    EUR 15–35 depending on train type and class

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None (meals available in dining car)

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

Various ÖBB electric locomotives including Siemens ES64U2 'Taurus' (Class 1116) for Railjet and long-distance services; Bombardier Talent (Class 4024) and Siemens Desiro ML (Class 4744) for regional services

Track Gauge

1,435 mm (4 ft 8.5 in) standard gauge

Braking Technology

Electric train braking (regenerative) with disc brakes on carriages; automatic air brakes (Kbrake) for heritage/auxiliary rolling stock

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 60% of line features gradients of 2.0-2.5% (1 in 40) — extremely steep for standard gauge

  • 16% of line has tight curvature radius of just 190 meters (623 feet)

  • 14 tunnels including the 1,431m Summit Tunnel carved through Alpine rock

  • 16 massive curved viaducts, several two-storey structures

  • Over 100 stone arch bridges and 11 smaller iron bridges

  • Altitude difference of 460 meters (1,509 feet) over 41 km

  • Semmering Base Tunnel (27.3 km) under construction since 2014, opening 2030 — will eventually bypass the historic line

Designer

Carl von Ghega (1802-1860)

Construction Period

1848-1854

Route Length

41 km (25.5 miles)

Maximum Altitude

980 m at Semmering Pass

Number of Viaducts

16

Number of Tunnels

14

Current Operating Speed

60-80 km/h (due to gradients and curves)

Future Bypass

Semmering Base Tunnel opening 2030, allowing 230 km/h

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    0.75 hours

  • Distance

    42 km

  • Est. Price

    EUR 15–35 depending on train type and class

Official Booking Provider