History of rail transport in Austria
Encyclopedia
The history of rail transport in Austria began with the Reisszug
, a private funicular serving the Fortress of Salzburg
. Built at the end of the 15th century and first documented in 1515, it is the oldest known funicular in the world, and possibly the oldest existing railway line
.
In 1837, following the construction of several horse tramways
, the Nordbahn line (Vienna
-Břeclav
) was opened. The Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways, a company serving the Austrian part of Austria-Hungary
, was created in 1884 and in 1923, some years after the dissolution of the empire, the national company "BBÖ" (now known as the "ÖBB") was founded.
Reisszug
The Reisszug is a private funicular railway providing goods access to the Hohensalzburg Castle at Salzburg in Austria...
, a private funicular serving the Fortress of Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
. Built at the end of the 15th century and first documented in 1515, it is the oldest known funicular in the world, and possibly the oldest existing railway line
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
.
In 1837, following the construction of several horse tramways
Horsecar
A horsecar or horse-drawn tram is an animal-powered streetcar or tram.These early forms of public transport developed out of industrial haulage routes that had long been in existence, and from the omnibus routes that first ran on public streets in the 1820s, using the newly improved iron or steel...
, the Nordbahn line (Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
-Břeclav
Breclav
Břeclav is a town in the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic, approximately 55 km southeast of Brno. It is located at the border with Lower Austria on the Dyje River. The nearest large town on Austrian territory is Hohenau an der March...
) was opened. The Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways, a company serving the Austrian part of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, was created in 1884 and in 1923, some years after the dissolution of the empire, the national company "BBÖ" (now known as the "ÖBB") was founded.
See also
- Austrian Federal Railways (history)
- Rail transport in AustriaRail transport in AustriaRail transport in Austria is mainly owned by the national rail company ÖBB. The railway network consists of 6,123 km, its gauge is 1,435 mm and 3,523 km are electrified....