Museumstramway Mariazell–Erlaufsee

About the museum

The roots of the Museumstramway lie in Vienna: in 1968 Alfred Fleissner acquired the first railcar for a historic tramway collection, which was later housed by the association "Wiener Tramwaymuseum" in St. Pölten and renamed "Museumstramway St. Pölten". When the closure of the St. Pölten tramway became apparent in 1975, the association's members negotiated with the town of Mariazell and the municipality of St. Sebastian about a new heritage line.

In 1976 the association acquired most of the St. Pölten vehicles as well as track and overhead-line material and began building a workshop hall and tracks in Mariazell. Among the treasures of the collection is steam tramway locomotive no. 8 of the Vienna–Mödling steam tramway, built in 1884, which is regarded as the oldest operational steam tramway locomotive in the world. In 1981 the first section, from the railway station to the sports ground, was opened.

The line between Mariazell and Lake Erlauf is not a reactivated railway but was built completely new between 1976 and 2015; the members also laid the tracks themselves as volunteer work, using historic components from Austrian tramways and local railways. In 2018 the Museumstramway received the Austrian Railway Culture Prize of the Association of Austrian Museum and Tourist Railways for this. It is still run exclusively by volunteers today.

Highlights

• Steam tramway locomotive no. 8 of 1884, according to the association the oldest steam tramway locomotive in the world
• Ride with historic tramway and local-railway vehicles to Lake Erlauf
• Line newly built by the association's members themselves (1976 to 2015)
• Connection to the Mariazellerbahn at Mariazell railway station
• Dogs with a muzzle and lead travel free

Permanent exhibition

• Historische Fahrzeugsammlung – Tramway and local-railway vehicles from Vienna, St. Pölten and other operators, including a steam tramway locomotive of 1884, which can be experienced in operation.

Operated by

Österreichisches Straßenbahn- und Lokalbahnbetriebsmuseum „I.G. Museumstramway“ (Verein)

Admission & discounts

Fares according to the 2026 timetable; the lowest price is shown (short-distance single). Dogs with a muzzle and lead travel free. No general discounts for people with reduced mobility. The timetable gives no price for children under 6.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The historic vehicles are only of limited use for people with walking difficulties; the train staff help but have their limits. Bringing a companion is recommended; individual cases should be clarified with the association in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Museumstramway starts at the Promenadeweg – Grazer Bundesstraße stop and calls at Mariazell station. Arrive by car via the B 20 Mariazeller Bundesstraße, the B 25/B 71 or the B 23; the website does not mention parking options.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit