Höllentalbahn Payerbach–Hirschwang

Om museet

The line goes back to a narrow-gauge freight railway which, during the First World War, linked a wood-pulp mill in Hirschwang with the Südbahn in Payerbach and entered service in 1918. Electric mine locomotives from 1903 came to the Höllental for this purpose – they are regarded as the oldest operational narrow-gauge electric locomotives in Europe. Plans for a standard-gauge line with a tunnel through the Artzberg were abandoned after the end of the war.

Instead, the line was converted into an electric local railway and opened to passenger traffic in September 1926; in 1927 it was extended to the new Rax cable car. The railcars ran in coordination with the Südbahn trains. In 1963 passenger services ended because of track renovations demanded by the authorities, and the vehicles went to the Zillertalbahn. Freight traffic continued until 1982.

The Österreichische Gesellschaft für Lokalbahnen (ÖGLB), founded in 1977, restored the overhead line, tracks and electric locomotives through its own efforts and opened the heritage operation in 1979. After difficult years with line closures, the roughly five-kilometre railway is now run by volunteers, among other things with the original railcar from 1926. In 2026 the local railway celebrates 100 years of passenger service.

Højdepunkter

• Ride in the electric railcar TW1 from 1926
• Electric locomotive E1 from 1903, one of the oldest operational narrow-gauge electric locomotives
• Around 5 km of line with loops between Payerbach, Reichenau and Hirschwang
• Station shop with café at Payerbach-Lokalbahn
• Close to the Rax cable car and the Wasserleitungsweg

Grundlagt

1979

Ejer

Österreichische Gesellschaft für Lokalbahnen (ÖGLB) / Höllentalbahn-Projekt Ges.m.b.H.

Entrépriser & rabatter

Regular price = return trip on the whole line. Tickets are available at the Payerbach-Lokalbahn station shop and from the conductor on the train. With the Niederösterreich-CARD, one return trip on the same day per season is free (not on special events and Advent trips). ÖBB Vorteilscard, KlimaTicket and transport-association tickets are not valid. Breaking the journey on the same day is possible. Dogs travel free of charge (must be kept on a lead), bicycles depending on space.

Tilgængelighed

• Delvis kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: findes ikke
• Handicaptoilet: ingen oplysninger
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

The historic vehicles have high entry steps and are only of limited use for wheelchair users and people with walking difficulties; the train crew helps with boarding and alighting, and there are no lifts. Folding wheelchairs are carried; items wider than 65 cm usually do not fit through the doors. Dogs are allowed on a lead.

Børn og familie

• Børnefødselsdage

Children under 6 travel free; family ticket for 2 adults and 1 child. Prams are carried depending on space (high entry steps, door width max. approx. 65 cm). Children’s birthday parties can be booked as a private special train.

Transport & parkering

By car via the Semmering expressway S6 to the Gloggnitz exit, then on the B27 towards the Höllental; in Payerbach turn right at the traffic light to the ÖBB station. From the Hirschwang terminus it is about 1.8 km, or just under 30 minutes on foot, to the valley station of the Rax cable car (Wasserleitungsweg).

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Restaurant: findes ikke
• Museumsbutik

Station shop with café at Payerbach-Lokalbahn station: coffee, drinks, snacks and Jause (Austrian cold platters) as well as souvenirs, books and postcards. Dining options in Payerbach, Reichenau and Hirschwang (including the Braugasthof Rax-Bräu near Hirschwang station).

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Bryllupper / vielser

Private special trains for groups, birthdays, confirmations or weddings with freely selectable vehicles, journey times and route; supporting programmes possible. Price list on the website; bookings via hoellentalbahn@lokalbahnen.at or the Payerbach tourist office.

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