European Railroad Discussion > A Loop Trip out of Linz, Austria

Having made my way to Linz in north-central Austria after time in both Innsbruck and Bischofshofen, I designed a loop trip out of Linz featuring three OBB trains and two interurban tram lines, one modernized and one still old school. The route was south to Selzthal, west and north to Gmunden, north to Vorchdorf-Eggenberg, north to Lambach, and east back to Linz. Leaving Linz the weather was clear but after the tunnel just north of Selzthal the weather turned to fog and low clouds which burned off right at departure time.

1. The first change of trains occurred at Selzthal, a railway junction with a freight yard. I don't know much but I can recognize an older locomotive and one that I had not previously seen (and would not see again). Some of the 1042-class were refurbished to the 1142-class but even at this time were being phased out. This was neither the train I arrived on nor the train I would depart on, just parked.

2. A view from the less shaded side.

3. A view of the whole train with City Shuttle coaches.

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During my layover in Selzthal I photographed what I could.

4. A common OBB Vossloh-built 2070-class shunter but I do not understand the Siemens plate on the cab.

5. I have said this before, the 193-class Vectron may be common in Europe but the variety of paint schemes is impressive. Rail & Sea is evidently a German logistics company.

6. Another 193-class Vectron of European Locomotive Leasing unfortunately defaced.

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7. My train from Selzthal to Gmunden was led by this OBB 1144-class electric with City Shuttle coaches.

8. At Gmunden I transferred to the private tram line operated by Stern & Hafferl to get to Vorchdorf-Eggenberg, about halfway to Lambach on the westbahn. This is a departing modern tram while I was figuring out how to buy a ticket (on the train from a machine). Note the improvement in the weather.

9. And a tram arriving at Gmunden that I would soon board. The track had all been rebuilt to high standards and was largely rural once out of the Gmunden area.

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At Vorchdorf-Eggenberg I transferred from the modern tram line to another Stern & Hafferl-operated tram line that retains its interurban heritage. The gauge changes from meter-gauge to standard gauge. Because the connection was tight and missing the next tram to Lambach would have messed up my itinerary I did not take any shots in Vorchdorf-Eggenberg where there was a center cab-style Stern & Hafferl shunter.

10. The vintage Stern & Hafferl tram upon arrival at Lambach. There were only a handful of passengers and one of my favorite rides in Austria, like going back in time.

11. Another view of the standard-gauge tram at Lambach.

12. A nice surprise was seeing this Stern & Hafferl 2016-class EuroRunner (Hercules on OBB) diesel doing some freight work at Lambach.

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13. A final shot at Lambach is a roster shot of the Stern & Hafferl 2016-class diesel with the station in the background.

I will cover Linz in the next post.

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Photos 1,2,3 are of the same loco yet the pantograph in #1 is in the front position while in pics 2 and 3 the rear pant is raised.
joe

Great series of pics.  Interesting.
joe