Austria - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services

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Introduction

This list is based on the timetable valid from 10 December 2023 until 14 December 2024. Standard abbreviations are explained here.

Map references for each route entry are given in parentheses ( ). References prefixed "ERA-E" refer to the European Railway Atlas (All-Europe Edition) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "ERA-R" refer to the European Railway Atlas (Regional Series: Book 2) by M.G. Ball. References prefixed "S+W", or in italic, refer to Eisenbahnatlas Österreich by Schweers + Wall.

Obscure services

Wien Meidling – St. Pölten – Linz Hbf

[100, 110] (ERA-E 64B1-B4; ERA-R 126A3-125C3; 99B2-106C2) AT24/1

Fast lines, known as the Neue Westbahn, were opened in stages between 2005 and 2016 and are in use all the way from Wien Meidling to Linz, except for a short section of around 12 km from St Pölten to the west. However, St Pölten is bypassed by a Güterzugumfahrung (freight avoiding line) (see AT24/31). For parts of the route the Neue Westbahn runs adjacent to the old line, but there are substantial sections on entirely new alignments, including some long tunnels.

The old and Neue Westbahn routes between Wien and St. Pölten cross at Abzw Knoten Wien Hadersdorf, to the west of Wien Hütteldorf. Trains from Wien Westbahnhof can join the Neue Westbahn at this junction.

There is a grade-separated junction at Knoten Wagram, east of St. Pölten, where the fast lines are in the centre at lower level, with the slow lines on outside at higher level, to allow access to the freight facilities on the north side. Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Connections link the old Westbahn and Neue Westbahn lines at several places between St. Pölten and and Linz. These have no booked passenger use but may be used occasionally as required.

The Neue Westbahn is used as follows:

  • IC, ICE, Railjet/Railjet Xpress and Nightjet services between Wien Hbf, Linz Hbf and beyond use the full length of the Neue Westbahn unless it is unavailable.
  • Trains operated by Westbahn GmbH between Wien Westbahnhof and Salzburg and beyond use the Neue Westbahn between Abzw Knoten Wien Hadersdorf and Linz Hbf.
  • Semi-fast CJX trains between Wien Westbahnhof and Amstetten use only the section of the Neue Westbahn between Abzw Knoten Wien Hadersdorf and St. Pölten via Tullnerfeld.

Any local service that calls at a station other than Tullnerfeld, St. Pölten Hbf, Amstetten, St. Valentin or Linz Hbf has to use the old Westbahn.

Wien Süßenbrunn

At this location, north-east of Wien, the Laaer Ostbahn (Wien - Mistelbach) crosses the Nordbahn (Wien - Břeclav).


Note that there are no scheduled services covering the entire north-south line between Wien Süßenbrunn Nord and Wien Süßenbrunn Mitte. However, Wien-bound trains over the east to south curve (AT24/2) and northbound trains over the west to north curve (AT24/3) together cover at least one of the two tracks for the whole length of the north-south section.

There are no longer any scheduled services over the south to west curve at Wien Süßenbrunn but very occasionally REX 3 services between Wien and Retz/Znojmo are diverted this way, also using the Floridsdorfer Hochbahn curve between Wien Leopoldau and Wien Jedlersdorf.

Wien Stadlau Fbf – Abzw Wien Süßenbrunn Ost

[901] (ERA-E 64B5; ERA-R 133C5; 105C2) AT24/2

This line is used only by non-stop Railjet or EC trains between Wien Hauptbahnhof and Břeclav and beyond, which run at hourly or two-hourly intervals. As there is right-hand running, northbound trains use the direct curve at Wien Süßenbrunn and southbound ones use the spur on to the flyover line from Mistelbach.

Wien Stadlau Fbf (Frachtenbahnhof) is located 0.4 km north of Wien Stadlau station and is deemed to be the divergence of the Mistelbach and Marchegg lines,

Wien Süßenbrunn West – Wien Süßenbrunn Nord

[902] (ERA-E 65B5; ERA-R 133C5; 105C2) AT24/3

These west-to-north curves at Wien Süßenbrunn are used by frequent S2 and REX2 services between Mödling, Wolfsthal or Flughafen Wien and Wolkersdorf, Mistelbach or Laa an der Thaya via Wien Floridsdorf. With right-hand running, the direct curve is used by trains heading towards Wien and the curve to the flyover line by those heading towards Mistelbach.

Wien Hauptbahnhof (platforms 3 to 12) – Wien Simmering

[901, 910] (ERA-E 65C5, not shown; ERA-R 133B3, not shown; 106D2-107B2A) AT24/4

All departures from Wien Hbf to the line via Wien Simmering use a diveunder at the east end of the Hauptbahnhof, to avoid conflicts with incoming trains on the Ostbahn. There are two separate inward ramps to the diveunder:

  • The ramp from the lower-numbered platforms is booked to be used by the hourly REX services to Bratislava hl.st via Marchegg
  • The ramp from the higher-numbered platforms is booked to be used by non-stop trains to Břeclav and beyond from platforms 9 to 12.
  • The half-hourly S80 Wien Hütteldorf - Wien Aspern Nord S-Bahn services and the hourly R81 services to Marchegg via Siebenbrunn-Leopoldsdorf will use the appropriate ramp for the platforms they depart from. Normally S80 uses platforms 3 or 4 and R81 services use platform 12, but this may vary.

Planned platform use can be derived from the ÖBB journey planner but should be checked against departure screens on the day.

In the opposite direction, these services use the surface level tracks.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Wien Matzleinsdorfer Platz – Wien Hauptbahnhof (platforms 3 and 4)

[900, 910] (ERA-E 65C5, not shown; ERA-R 133B3, not shown; 106B2-C2) AT24/5

The S80 Wien Hütteldorf - Wien Hbf - Wien Aspern Nord S-Bahn service, which runs half-hourly, uses this link to access platforms 3 and 4 at Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Wien Hauptbahnhof – Wien Meidling via flyover line

[100, 900 and others] (ERA-E 65C5, not shown; ERA-R 133B3, not shown; 106B2-C2) AT24/6

The main running lines pass either side of Wien Matzleinsdorf rolling stock maintenance facility at surface level. However, to enable westbound trains to the Wien Inzersdorf line (for Donauländebahn and Pottendorfer Linie) from Wien Hbf platforms 4 to 8 to avoid conflicting with inbound trains to the higher numbered platforms, a flyover crosses above the maintenance facility. It reaches the surface at km 1.7, to run parallel with the inbound alignment as far as Wien Meidling platforms 7 and 8. This flyover is used by:

  • the hourly S60 Bruck an der Leitha - xx:11 Wien Hbf - Pottendorf-Landegg - Wiener Neustadt service (table 511).
  • the generally two-hourly REX6 Bratislava-Petrzalska - xx:23 Wien Hbf - Deutschkreutz services, with afternoon extras starting from Wien Hbf at xx:59 (table 512).
  • Regiojet services to Budapest, which use the Wien Inzersdorf – Kledering line.

In the opposite direction, these services use the surface level tracks.

Regiojet services to Wien Flughafen, which ran by this route, ceased on 10 June 2023.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Wien Speising (Stw Maxing) – Wien Meidling

[900] (ERA-E 65C5, not shown; ERA-R 133A3, not shown correctly; 106B2-C2) AT24/7

There are two routes between Wien Speising and Wien Meidling - a northern route via Flohberg Tunnel and a southern route via Abzw Matzleinsdorf-Oswaldgasse.

The Flohberg Tunnel route is used by trains shown under Wien Penzing – Wien Speising and the half-hourly S80 Wien Hütteldorf – Wien Hbf – Wien Aspern Nord S-Bahn services, which all run via platforms 1 (westbound) and 3 or 4 (eastbound) at Wien Meidling.

As S80 runs to the low-numbered platforms at Wien Meidling, no passenger services appear to use the longer route via Abzw Oswaldgasse during this timetable period.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Wien Penzing – Wien Speising (Abzw Wien Hütteldorf 1)

[110, 902] (ERA-E 65B4-B5; ERA-R 133A3; 106B1) AT24/8

This east to south curve, which connects Wien Westbahnhof with the Wien southern ring line to Wien Meidling and Kledering, carried only a few peak hour passenger services in 2023. For the 2023/24 timetable period, it appears that these trains no longer run.


Inzersdorf Ort – Lanzendorf-Rannersdorf via Wien Oberlaa

[512,700] (ERA-E 65C5; ERA-R 133B3; 106D3-107B3) AT24/9

This line links Wien Meidling with the Ostbahn towards Gramatneusiedl via the Wien southern avoiding line through Wien Oberlaa.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


To reach the Ostbahn from Wien Oberlaa there are two possible routes, a direct curve to the north of Kledering station and a flying junction to the north of Lanzendorf-Rannersdorf station, reached via the line from Wien Zvbf Nord through Wien Zvbf Ost. Most services use the direct curve to Kledering.

It is used by the following services. In addition, these may either use the Wien Inzersdorf avoiding line to the north of the former station, or the connection between the former station and Wien Inzersdorf Ost, depending on operating convenience.

  • Two daily RegioJet train pairs between Praha, Wien and Budapest. Note that the next stop towards Budapest from Wien Meidling is Hegyeshalom (HU). These services are reported to use the direct curve to Kledering.
  • Trains between Ebenfurth and Wien which are diverted over the Wampersdorf - Gramatneusiedl line because of engineering work on the Pottendorfer Linie and call at Wien Meidling.
  • Note that the evening peak REX services from Wien Hbf to Deutschkreutz that ran this way and via Wampersdorf - Gramatneusiedl longer run.

Inzersdorf Ort – Abzw Wien Zvbf Nord – Schwechat (via Wien Kaiserebersdorf yard)

[901, 907 not shown] (ERA-E 65C5; ERA-R 133B3; 107A2-B3) AT24/10

This route links the Wien southern avoiding line with the Flughafen Wien line, avoiding Wien Hbf. It uses a flyover over the Ostbahn to reach the Flughafen Wien line at Abzw Wien Zvbf Nord. It then runs by the flyover line through Kaiserebersdorf (Klein Schwechat) yard to just beyond Wien Kaiserebersdorf station.

Direct overnight RegioJet trains between Brno and Flughafen Wien via Wien Hbf and this route ceased in June 2023. The replacement services, operated by RegioJet on behalf of Gepard Express, ran directly to Flughafen Wien via Wien Zvbf rather than by this route. From the December 2023 timetable change, the Gepard Express trains were extended to run to and from Wien Hbf but via a reversal at Flughafen Wien, so still using the route via Wien Zvbf (see entry AT24/10A below).

Wien Haidestraße (Wien Hasenleiten) – Wien Zvbf – Abzw Wien Zvbf Nord – Schwechat (via Wien Kaiserebersdorf yard)

[901, 907 not shown] (ERA-E 65C5; ERA-R 133B3; 107A2-B3) AT24/10A

This route links the line from Wien-Stadlau over the Stadlauer Ostbahnbrücke with the line to Flughafen Wien, running via the curve from Wien Simmering to Wien Zvbf (marshalling yard), then joining route AT24/10 at Wien Zvbf Nord (which is to the south of Wien Zvbf). It is used by the Gepard Express trains between Brno and Wien Hbf via Flughafen Wien, between calls at Flughafen Wien and Wien Stadlau. These trains reverse at Flughafen Wien and run to and from Wien Hbf by the direct route via Grillgasse.

Timings are not on the ÖBB journey planner and are not clear on the Gepard Express website. They are however on the RegioJet journey planner as these services are operated on behalf of Gepard Express by Regiojet. The journey planner needs to be used as the times are not shown on the RegioJet timetable pdf for that route.

Ex1135 Brno hl.n – 03:35 Wien Stadlau – Flughafen Wien – Wien Hbf
Ex1136 Wien Hbf – 23:29 Flughafen Wien – Brno hl.n.

Wien Hütteldorf – Purkersdorf Zentrum

[110] (ERA-E 64B3-B4; ERA-R 126A3-133A4; 23D3, 106A1) AT24/11

There are two routes between these stations - a route in tunnel on the northern side of the formation via Abzw. Knoten Wien Hadersdorf, and a surface route via Wien Weidlingau.

REX services between Wien Westbahnhof and St. Pölten, which are not booked to call at intermediate stations between Wien Hütteldorf and Purkersdorf Zentrum, use the tunnel route whereas S50 trains to/from Unter Purkersdorf or beyond use the surface route.

The tunnel route joins the Neue Westbahn from Tullnerfeld at Abzw. Knoten Wien Hadersdorf. Services between the Neue Westbahn and Wien Westbahnhof (Westbahn and semi-fast Amstetten trains) use the same eastern ramp at Wien Hütteldorf.

Korneuburg – Ernstbrunn

(ERA-E 64B4; ERA-R 64B4; 24A2-14A3) AT24/12

One return trip, operated by Regiobahn and branded as ErlebnisZug in die Leiser Berge, runs on this branch approximately monthly from May to October. Trains run through from Wien Praterstern, departing at 09:14, and return from Ernstbrunn at 16:32. For further details and to book, see the Regiobahn website.

Tulln avoiding line: Tulln Donaubrücke – Tulln Stadt

[903] (ERA-E 64B3; ERA-R 126A3; 23B2) AT24/13

This curve links the lines from Tullnerfeld and Absdorf-Hippersdorf to the west of Tulln an der Donau station. It is used in the mornings and evenings by the following services:

S4 21182 Wien Floridsdorf – 05:58 Absdorf-Hippersdorf – Tullnerfeld
R/S4 21222 Wiener Neustadt Hbf – 06:58 Absdorf-Hippersdorf - Tullnerfeld
S4 21974 Stockerau – 07:58 Absdorf-Hippersdorf – Tullnerfeld
S4 21980 Stockerau – 17:00 Absdorf-Hippersdorf – Tullnerfeld
S4 21982 Stockerau – 18:00 Absdorf-Hippersdorf – Tullnerfeld
S4 21971 Tullnerfeld – 06:53 Tulln Stadt – Stockerau
S4 21973 Tullnerfeld – 07:53 Tulln Stadt – Stockerau
S4 21981 Tullnerfeld – 16:53 Tulln Stadt – Stockerau
S4 21983 Tullnerfeld – 17:53 Tulln Stadt – Stockerau
S4 21985 Tullnerfeld – 18:53 Tulln Stadt – Stockerau

St. Valentin avoiding line: Enns (Abzw St. Valentin 11) – St. Pantaleon (Abzw Mauthausen 1)

[100, 133] (ERA-E 64B1; ERA-R 124C2; 19D3) AT24/14

This curve, opened in 2005, is used by direct trains between Linz Hbf and St. Nikola-Struden, which run every two hours SSuX with peak extras. These are shown in Table 133 as not calling at St. Valentin.

Linz Ebelsberg (Linz Kleinmünchen) – Linz Hbf (via Linz Vbf West and Linz Vbf Durchfahrgruppe)

[100] (ERA-E 64B1; ERA-R 124xx; 99C3-B2) AT24/15

This route approaches Linz Hbf from the east via Linz Vbf West (Verschiebebahnhof / marshalling yard) and the freight lines into Linz Hbf that run to the west and south of the passenger tracks. It is reportedly used by the following westbound services:

SSuX REX2466 Amstetten – 06:43 St. Valentin – Linz Hbf
SSuO R/S1 2458 St. Nikola-Struden – 09:33 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf
SSuX REX/S1 3612 Weißenbach-St. Gallen – 11:28 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf
SSuO R/S1 2464 St. Nikola-Struden – 11:33 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf
SSuX REX/S1 3616 Kleinreifling – 13:28 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf
SSuX REX/S1 3620 Weißenbach-St. Gallen – 15:28 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf
SSuX REX/S1 3626 Kleinreifling – 17:28 Linz Ebelsberg – Linz Hbf

Traun – Marchtrenk

[101, 140] (ERA-E 62B2; ERA-R 124B2; 19A3-18D3) AT24/15

This route provides an alternative to the Linz – Wels main line, allowing slower trains to be overtaken. Trains using this route can be discerned by their having a Traun call shown in Table 140 or just by having a wavy line shown in Table 101 against the stations on the direct route between Linz Hbf and Marchtrenk. The following trains are expected to use this route; REX3204 being the only train that has a Traun call, so is certain to run this way.

SSuX REX5051 Freilassing – 07:11 Marchtrenk – Linz Hbf
NJ/491/40421 Hamburg-Altona / Amsterdam Centraal – 07:16 Wels Hbf – Wien Hbf
SSuX REX3204 Grünau im Almtal – 07:32 Marchtrenk – Linz Hbf
SSuX REX5961 Simbach – 08:40 Wels Hbf – Linz Hbf
IC1019 Stainach-Irdning – 19:25 Attnang-Puchheim – Wien Hbf

Wels – Marchtrenk via Wels Vbf

[101] (ERA-E 62B2; ERA-R 124B2, 18C3 - D3) AT24/16

This route via Wels Vbf (Verschiebebahnhof / marshalling yard) is used by one early morning local service and one overnight service to allow faster services to overtake them.

SuX R3003 Attnang-Puchheim – 06:55 Wels Hbf – Linz Hbf
NJ/491/40421 Hamburg-Altona / Amsterdam Centraal – 07:16 Wels Hbf – Wien Hbf

Local and long-distance services between Wels and Marchtrenk/Linz may be diverted over this route if the main Westbahn is blocked.

Lambach avoiding line: Gunskirchen (Abzw Umfahrung Lambach) – Lambach Markt

[101] (ERA-E 62C5; ERA-R 124B2; 18B4) AT24/17

A tunnel avoiding Lambach is used by all trains between Wels Hbf and Attnang-Puchheim not booked to call at Lambach. These comprise all IC, ICE, Railjet/Railjet Xpress, Westbahn and Nightjet services. All local R and REX services run via Lambach.

Salzburg Hbf – Salzburg Sam (Salzburg Mitte) via diveunder line

[200, 220] (ERA-E 62C4, not shown); ERA-R 123C1, not shown; 30C, 102A) AT24/18

This route from Salzburg Hbf to the Bischofshofen line runs to the west of the Westbahn towards Linz, then dives under it to join the curve to the Bischofshofen line at Salzburg Mitte. While this route can be reached from all platforms at Salzburg Hbf, it is more likely to be used by trains between the Bischofshofen line (to and from Wörgl, Schwarzach-St. Veit, Graz, Klagenfurt etc) and the low-numbered platforms (particularly platforms 1 and 2) to avoid conflicting movements on the main line.

Wörgl Kundl (Abzw Knoten Radfeld) – Volders-Baumkirchen (Abzw Fritzens-Wattens 2) (Neue Unterinntalbahn)

[300] (ERA-E 63A2; ERA-R 128C4-B3; 38C4-56C2) AT24/19

This line, opened in December 2012, is mostly in tunnel, parallel with the old Westbahn. All Westbahn and about half of Railjet Xpress services run non-stop between Wörgl and Innsbruck, so use the entire length of the line. The remaining Railjet/Railjet Xpress and all IC/EC, ICE and semi-fast CJX services call at Jenbach and so run via the old Westbahn between Wörgl and Jenbach, normally joining or leaving the Neue Unterinntalbahn at Abzw Knoten Stans, to the west of Jenbach station.

Bregenz avoiding line: Hard-Fussach (Lauterach West) – Wolfurt (Lauterach Süd)

[401] (ERA 127A4; 52B2) AT24/20

This curve enables trains to run between St. Margrethen SG (CH) and Feldkirch without reversal at Bregenz. It is used by the following services on Mondays to Fridays only.

SSuX R25850 Feldkirch – 06:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25852 Dornbirn – 07:24 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25854 Feldkirch – 13:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25856 Feldkirch – 15:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25858 Feldkirch – 16:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25860 Feldkirch – 17:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25862 Feldkirch – 18:27 Wolfurt – St. Margrethen SG
SSuX R25851 St. Margrethen SG – 06:54 Hard-Fussach – Dornbirn
SSuX R25853 St. Margrethen SG – 07:54 Hard-Fussach – Feldkirch
SSuX R25855 St. Margrethen SG – 13:54 Hard-Fussach – Feldkirch
SSuX R25857 St. Margrethen SG – 15:52 Hard-Fussach – Dornbirn
SSuX R25859 St. Margrethen SG – 16:52 Hard-Fussach – Dornbirn
SSuX R25861 St. Margrethen SG – 17:52 Hard-Fussach – Feldkirch

It is also used for diversions when the Buchs SG – Feldkirch line is closed for engineering works, which usually occurs in late April and early May. Diverted trains may also use the Romanshorn avoiding line in Switzerland.

Bruck an der Mur avoiding line: Pernegg (Bruck Übelstein) – Oberaich (Bruck Stadtwald)

[501, 600] (ERA-E 65A2; ERA-R 131B4; 66B2) AT24/21

This south to west curve enables trains to run between Graz and Leoben without reversal at Bruck an der Mur. It is used by services shown in table 600 as not calling at Bruck an der Mur. These comprise IC/EC services to/from Graz, generally every two hours with occasional extras, and REX services between Graz and Leoben in the morning and evening peaks.

St. Michael avoiding line: Leoben Hbf (St. Michael Ost) – Kraubath (St. Michael West)

[600] (ERA-E 65A2; ERA-R 131A4; 65D2-C2) AT24/22

This east to west chord of the St. Michael triangle enables trains to run between Leoben Hbf and Knittelfeld without reversal at St. Michael station. All Railjet, IC/EC and Nightjet services which run non-stop between Leoben Hbf and Knittelfeld or Klagenfurt use this route, also one westbound Graz Hbf – Unzmarkt REX service at 17:58 SuX from Leoben Hbf.

St. Michael – Kraubath (St. Michael West)

[600] (ERA-E 65A2; ERA-R 131A4; 65C2) AT24/23

This north to west chord of the St. Michael triangle is used by the hourly local services between Bruck an der Mur or Mürzzuschlag and Unzmarkt or Friesach, which reverse in St. Michael station. There are no through trains between the Selzthal line and Knittelfeld.

Villach Landskron (Villach Hbf Ostbahnhof) – Villach Westbahnhof (via Villach Hbf high-level line)

[650/670] (ERA-E 63C5; ERA-R 130B1; 97C2) AT24/24

Only two S-Bahn services are booked to arrive at and depart from Villach Hbf high-level platform 8 in the current timetable:

S2/S4 4303 St Veit a d Glan – 07x04 Villach Landskron – Arnoldstein
SSuX S4/S1 4250 Hermagor – 16:39 Villach Westbahnhof – St. Veit a d Glan

Platform 8 may also be used occasionally by other services if no suitable low-level platform is available.

Click on the thumbnail for a full size map.


Puch b. Villach (Abzw Gummern 2) – Villach Westbahnhof (Abzw Draubrücke)

[220, 601] (ERA-E 63C5; ERA-R 130B1; 97C2) AT24/25

This north to south connection (the Tauernschleife) avoiding Villach Hbf links the Drautalbahn via Spittal-Millstättersee with the line via Villach Westbahnhof to Rosenbach or Tarvisio Boscoverde. It is used by one weekday S1 service, except in the summer months:

D1 SSuX S1 4931 Spittal-Millstättersee – 07x07 Puch b. Villach – Villach Warmbad

D1: Not 8 July to 6 September 2024

If the Brenner route is blocked by engineering work, certain EC trains between München and Italy may be diverted this way.

It can also be used by the München – Zagreb sleepers if Villach station is unavailable. This occurred in July 2022.

Mittlern – Wiederndorf-Aich

[620] (ERA-E xxx; ERA-R xxx; 92C3-C4 AT24/26

There are two routes between the new Koralmbahn stations of Mittlern and Wiederndorf-Aich; a direct connection via the Koralmbahn and a loop through the existing Bleiburg station which rejoins the Koralmbahn by a new connection north of Bleiburg Stadt.

All S3 stopping services between Klagenfurt and Wolfsberg run via Bleiburg. A few REX3 trains in the morning and evening peaks on Mondays to Fridays use the direct connection.

SSuX REX3 1741 Wolfsberg – 06:03 St. Paul im Lavanttal – Klagenfurt
SSuX REX3 1743 Wolfsberg – 06:48 St. Paul im Lavanttal – Klagenfurt
SSuX REX3 1742 Klagenfurt – 15:58 Kühsdorf-Klopeiner See – Wolfsberg
SSuX REX3 1744 Klagenfurt – 16:58 Kühsdorf-Klopeiner See – Wolfsberg
SSuX REX3 1746 Klagenfurt – 17:58 Kühsdorf-Klopeiner See – Wolfsberg

From December 2025, the direct connection will be served by fast Klagenfurt – Graz services via the Koralmtunnel so will cease to be 'obscure'.

Ebenfurth avoiding line: Pottendorf-Landegg (Abzw Ebenfurth Nord) – Untereggendorf (Abzw Ebenfurth Süd)

[511] (ERA-E 64C4; ERA-R 126A1-B1; 36A3) AT24/27

This line which avoids Ebenfurth station is used by certain services between Wien Hbf and Wiener Neustadt Hbf. It is also used by other fast services when the line via Baden is unavailable.

NJ457 Berlin Hbf – 07:13 Wien Meidling – Graz Hbf
SSuX REX2753 Wien Hbf – 16:57 Wien Meidling – Friedberg
SSuX REX2757 Wien Hbf – 17:14 Wien Meidling – Hartberg
SSuX REX2759 Wien Hbf – 17:57 Wien Meidling – Friedberg
EC106 Graz – 07:28 Wiener Neustadt – Przemyśl Główny
D1 MThSO EN1152 Split – 08:12 (TFSuO) Wiener Neustadt – Bratislava Nové Mesto
NJ234/40294 La Spezia Centrale / Roma Termini – 08:17 Wiener Neustadt - Wien Hbf
D2 D15132 Villach Hbf – 17:12 Wiener Neustadt – Wien Hbf

D1: 5 May - 4 October 2024 (with exceptions in May, June and September)
D2: Only runs 26 December 2023; 1,7 January, 11 February, 1 April, 20 May; 2 June; 3 November 2024

Obscure services: Lines used on an occasional basis

Wampersdorf – Gramatneusiedl

(ERA-E 64C4; ERA-R 126B2-133C1; 36B3-2) AT24/30

This line links the Ostbahn to Hungary via Hegyeshalom with the lines via Ebenfurth towards Sopron or Wiener Neustadt.

It is not used during the current timetable period by scheduled services but may be used when the direct Pottendorfer Linie route between Wampersdorf and Wien Meidling via Achau (tables 511 and 512) is blocked by engineering work (which should be found from the ÖBB engineering work page).

Knoten Wagram – Knoten Rohr via GZU (Güterzugumfahrung St. Pölten)

[100] (ERA-E ; ERA-R ; 22A4-C3) AT24/31

This avoiding line, which runs mainly in tunnel on a newly-built alignment to the south of St. Pölten, opened in December 2017. It is mainly used by freight services but until 2022 was used occasionally, especially at holiday periods, by relief trains to allow them to be overtaken. These were generally westbound services but a few eastbound services also ran. All used the connections at Knoten Wagram onto, or off, the Neue Westbahn. The signalling on this line requires ETCS-2 fitted trains. It is not known whether or not any trains will be diverted this way in future.

Salzburg Hbf avoiding line: Salzburg Kasern (Abzw Hallwang-Elixhausen 3) – Salzburg Gnigl Vbf – Salzburg Parsch (Salzburg Gnigl)

(ERA-E 62C4; ERA-R 128B3; 30C, 102A) AT24/32

This curve allows trains between Wels and the Bischofshofen line to avoid Salzburg Hbf. No permanent booked services have been identified as using it in the current timetable. It may be used, particularly by overnight services, if the route to Wörgl and Innsbruck via the Rosenheim avoider (DE24/665) is unavailable.

Villach Warmbad (Villach Süd Gvbf-Auen) – Neuhaus an der Gail (via Villach Süd Großverschiebebahnhof)

[651] (ERA-E 63C5; ERA-R 130B1; 97C2) AT24/33

This route is an alternative to the main line from Villach to Tarvisio Boscoverde (IT) which runs via the large marshalling yard (Großverschiebebahnhof) at Villach Süd.

In early 2023 all Micotra, Railjet and Nightjet services between Villach and Tarvisio Boscoverde were diverted via the north side of the yard because of engineering work between Villach Hbf and Arnoldstein. S4 and REX 4 local trains were replaced by buses. It was reported that the same route was used in both directions on this approximately 5.5 km diversion.

Innsbruck avoiding line: Volders-Baumkirchen (Abzw Fritzens-Wattens 2) – Inntaltunnel – Unterberg-Stefansbrücke (Abzw Innsbruck 1; Gärberbach)

(ERA-E 63B1; ERA-R 128A2; 60B-60C) AT24/34

This line via the Inntaltunnel avoiding Innsbruck Hbf was opened in 1994. It is normally banned to passenger trains, but it may be used for diversions of EC services between München and Italy routed via the Brenner line when there is engineering work at Innsbruck Hbf.

Trams

See Austria - Tram services over obscure routes

Other sparse services

The following lines have few trains (relative to service levels generally in this country) – fewer than five trains each way on at least three days a week – or do not run each weekday:

130/131 Weißenbach-St.Gallen – Selzthal Limited service on Fridays to Sundays only
532 Feldbach – Bad Gleichenberg Weekends only from mid-March to late October plus early December to mid-January
801 Gmünd NÖ – Groß Gerungs
802 Gmünd NÖ – Litschau
802 Altnagelberg – Heidenreichstein
811 Krems an der Donau – Emmersdorf an der Donau Weekends only from mid-March to end April and in November; daily from May to October
941 Retz – Drosendorf Weekends only from late April to early November plus Fridays in high summer
10 (SŽ) Bleiburg – Holmec (Slovenia) Five train pairs on weekdays, two pairs on summer Saturdays and one pair on Sundays, except in the summer

The following lines do not have service throughout the winter:

173 St. Wolfgang Schafbergbahnhof – Schafbergspitze
311 Jenbach – Achensee Seespitz
523 Puchberg am Schneeberg – Hochschneeberg (Schneebergbahn)
532 Feldbach – Bad Gleichenberg
801 Gmünd NÖ – Groß Gerungs
802 Gmünd NÖ – Litschau
802 Altnagelberg – Heidenreichstein
811 Krems an der Donau – Emmersdorf an der Donau
941 Retz – Drosendorf

Deletions since previous edition

AT23/9 Wampersdorf – Gramatneusiedl No longer used by scheduled services so moved to 'Occasional Use' section as AT24/30
AT23/30 Ebenfurth avoiding line: Pottendorf-Landegg (Abzw Ebenfurth Nord) – Untereggendorf (Abzw Ebenfurth Süd) Served by a few trains in the 2023/24 timetable so moved to the main Obscure services section as AT24/27
AT23/34 Wien Zvbf Nord – Wien Zbf Ost – Wien Zvbf Abzw Felixdorf Only known passenger train use was by one train on one day in 2022
AT23/35 Tullnerfeld (Üst Abzw Knoten Hetzendorf) – Inzersdorf Ort Only known passenger train use was by one train on one day in 2022

See also