Austria: Feldbach - Bad Gleichenberg closes

[gysev]

Not yet mentioned: the elektrified Feldbach - Bad Gleichenberg branch in Austria will close on december 13. The line opened in 1931 and is operated by local operator Steiermäkische Landesbahn (StLB).

Unfortunately, the only surprise is that this line managed to survive until now. The distance between both towns is 12 km by road, however by rail it is 21 km. The service, 4 trains per day in each direction, is useless for most people while freight traffic has been sporadic at best. Only a quarry at the outskirts of Feldbach provides a regular income. The 2 km between Feldbach and the quarry will remain in service as an industrial siding.

 

[davetheguard]

Not yet mentioned: the elektrified Feldbach - Bad Gleichenberg branch in Austria will close on december 13. The line opened in 1931 and is operated by local operator Steiermäkische Landesbahn (StLB).

Unfortunately, the only surprise is that this line managed to survive until now. The distance between both towns is 12 km by road, however by rail it is 21 km. The service, 4 trains per day in each direction, is useless for most people while freight traffic has been sporadic at best. Only a quarry at the outskirts of Feldbach provides a regular income. The 2 km between Feldbach and the quarry will remain in service as an industrial siding.

Thanks for this post. Always a shame to hear of lines closing; perhaps Covid was the last straw. Odd how the line was the only one in the area electrified; its connecting "main line" & other branches being diesel. I wonder if there's a cab ride available on Youtube?

 

[Calthrop]

The Steiermaerkische Landesbahn seems always to have been an interestingly odd and quirky outfit; as regards modes of power / traction, as well as in other ways. Bryan Morgan remarks of it in The End of the Line (published 1955, when a non-electric railway could accurately be referred to as "steam"): "...the largest private railway in Austria... something of an achievement when you own only half a dozen lines and some 130 miles of track to employ five different systems -- standard and narrow electric, standard and narrow steam, and one steam line which changes gauge halfway [presumably the Gleisdorf -- Weiz -- Ratten route] -- and to throw in some pleasant railcars too."

I've always had trouble keeping the various StLB lines straight in my mind: hadn't thought of the Feldbach -- Bad Gleichenberg one for years, and in fact was not aware it was still operating, including for passenger. Sad to hear of its imminent demise.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Found a story from August 2020 (in German) saying this and other StLB lines were badly affected by severe weather, with the line washed away in places.

August-Unwetter trafen Landesbahnen hart

Die schweren Unwetter im August haben im Streckennetz der Steiermärkischen Landesbahnen (StLB) erheblichen Schaden verursacht. Nach erster grober Schätzung belaufen sich die Kosten für die Instandsetzung auf insgesamt knapp 500.000 Euro.

steiermark.orf.at

August-Unwetter trafen Landesbahnen hart
Die schweren Unwetter im August haben im Streckennetz der Steiermärkischen Landesbahnen (StLB) erheblichen Schaden verursacht. Nach erster grober Schätzung belaufen sich die Kosten für die Instandsetzung auf insgesamt knapp 500.000 Euro
...
Am stärksten betroffen ist der Streckenabschnitt im Bereich Oedt – dort sind Teile des Bahndamms weggerutscht...

 

[Bletchleyite]

It all sounds a bit like our favourite little line in Wales but for the wires, doesn't it?

 

[gysev]

A small update: the line will be operated until december 31.

 

[Geeves]

From looking on the STLB website it looks like line the line has been repaired, but they are still closing it? I guess stranger things have happened especially with it comes to money, repairs and then closure

 

[alistairlees]

Such a shame. I've been to Bad Gleichenberg (and Feldbach) a fw times, but never went on it. It was generally easier driving, especially if you wanted to see other things.

 

[radamfi]

I've just looked at the location of this line in OpenStreetMap, and there appears to be two Prädiberg stations. How does this work?

(Interestingly in Google Maps the stations on this line aren't marked).

 

[Austriantrain]

An extension has been agreed: On weekends and public holidays during 2021, there will be four train pairs. A future touristic use is supposed to be developed next year.

In German and mostly behind a paywall:

Bis Herbst 2021: Die Gleichenberger Bahn geht in die Verlängerung

Verhandlungen für eine finanzielle Überbrückung waren erfolgreich. Bis Ende Oktober 2021 werden am Wochenende und an Feiertagen je vier Zugpaare auf der Gleichenberger Bahn verkehren. In diesem Zeitraum soll die touristische Nutzung evaluiert werden und das touristische Konzept weiterentwickelt...

www.kleinezeitung.at

 

[Shinkansenfan]

Good news! This blurb (in English and no paywall) seems optimistic about the future of the line.

hthttps://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/feldbach-bad-gleichenberg-new-hope-for-the-future-2/

Feldbach – Bad Gleichenberg: New hope for the future​

Passenger service on the electrified regional railway line of Steiermärkische Landesbahnen between Feldbach and Bad Gleichenberg will continue as weekend-only service for the time being. On Saturdays and Sundays, four trains in each direction operate mainly for tourists. Connections to the S-Bahn service S3 to the provincial capital Graz are provided at Feldbach ÖBB. The service will be initially offered from 23 January to 1 November 2021 – by then all involved parties should agree upon a sustainable concept for the future of this attractive branch line.

 

[gysev]

Due to Covid restrictions, operations will now start at 30 january.