Border Crossings: Austria - Switzerland
Note: Despite a common electrification system, different designs of overhead line and pantographs prevents through working by electric trains without special arrangements.
Until 2006, the Internationale Rheinregulierung (IRR) operated a works railway (43 km long, 750 mm gauge, electrified at 750V dc overhead) for construction and maintetance purposes for the River Rhein as it enters the Bodensee (Lake Constance). The association Verein Rhein-Schauen operates passenger trains over this railway, partially with steam engines. The principal section is that on the east side between Werkhof Lustenau and the lake, but specials may operate on the rest of the remaining network - see plan. There were three border crossings (but now only one), listed below
Mäder IRR - Kriessern IRR
[E] This crossing was a bridge over the Rhein for the branch to the Kadelberg quarry at Koblach. The track south of Zollamt Kriessern (near Mäder) was lifted in 2012. The cross-border bridge was removed on 13 March 2020, as a new assessment showed that the bridge was a danger in case of high water in the river.
Lustenau Wiesenrain IRR - Widnau IRR
[E] on a combined road/railway steel bridge over the Rhein. Still in use in 2018.
(Bregenz -) Lustenau Markt ÖBB - St Margrethen SBB
[E] ÖBB works local trains from Bregenz to St Margrethen. SBB works international trains to/from München via Lindau-Reutin, using SBB Alstom ETR610 (SBB designation RABe 503) Pendolino multi-system trainsets.
Höchst Bruggerloch IRR - St.Margrethen IRR
[E] This branch along the left bank of the Rhein terminated where the river enters the Bodensee (Lake Constance). The branch was lifted at an unknown date long before 2020.
