Narrow gauge comeback
In a remarkable comeback, freight service has returned to the 760mm Zillertalbahn. After nearly a decade of dormancy traffic from Jenbach to the Fuegen lumber mill resumed in 2020. The railway has invested heavily in new InnoFreight log racks (mounted on the existing rollblocks), a new transload facility and has leased extra power for the freights. I never got around to photographing the operation when I lived in Austria last year, so this was a big priority for me on my recent trip. After two failed attempts (train did not run both times), the third try was the charm. Steiermark transport VL23 brings the second loaded train of the day from Jenbach to Fuegen, seen shortly after departing Jenbach. A keen eye will notice a cloud of smoke from the distant hillside to the right. Its not a forest fire, rather the exhaust from a train on the Achenseebahn, also recently reopened!
Narrow gauge comeback
In a remarkable comeback, freight service has returned to the 760mm Zillertalbahn. After nearly a decade of dormancy traffic from Jenbach to the Fuegen lumber mill resumed in 2020. The railway has invested heavily in new InnoFreight log racks (mounted on the existing rollblocks), a new transload facility and has leased extra power for the freights. I never got around to photographing the operation when I lived in Austria last year, so this was a big priority for me on my recent trip. After two failed attempts (train did not run both times), the third try was the charm. Steiermark transport VL23 brings the second loaded train of the day from Jenbach to Fuegen, seen shortly after departing Jenbach. A keen eye will notice a cloud of smoke from the distant hillside to the right. Its not a forest fire, rather the exhaust from a train on the Achenseebahn, also recently reopened!