The
Semmering Railway - this is part 5 of the presentation.
Also available are from north to south part
1, part 2, part
3, part 4; plus anniversary
150 years and a gallery with
winter images.
For geographical orientation click on the area map symbol
left!
This
final summer time gallery deals with the section between the
south exit of the Semmering tunnel and the southern end of
the ramp section at Muerzzuschlag.
It
is obvious that the landscape surrounding the Styrian south
ramp significantly differs from the northern ramp section.
The border to Lower Austria is at the Semmering pass. In contradiction
to the gorges in the north here we have some kind of smooth
hilly landscape.
Therefore
spectacular viaducts or tunnels are not existing here. Nevertheless
also this section has its specific charm and a line presentation
- without - would not be complete.
By
the way also here a hiking trail along the rail tracks was
opened in 2004. It starts at the Semmering station and ends
at the Kulturbahnhof in Muerzzuschlag.
Have a lot of fun exploring more of the Semmering line now...
Now
the southern tunnel exits. Left a push loco supporting a freight train
disappears, at the right a second train appears deep in the hole at
the same time. I was lucky to catch such situation. The old tunnel
is built totally straight, the new one is bent. The top of the old
left tunnel portal is still a construction of Ghega (5/2004).
A long
straight uphill section has to be climbed before the last curve
in front of the tunnel is reached. The turnout left belongs to the
southern in feed station for electrical energy (Transformer 110
kV to 15kV) (5/2004).
The
map shows that immediately behind the Semmering station the main tunnel
chains on. Then the line descends and on the way to Muerzzuschlag
still two stations are passed any more, first Steinhaus and then Spital
am Semmering. (top of page)
In
May 2004 this intercity highway section was still under construction.
Both highway tunnels were built crossing the Semmering line one
floor below. In the background right the highway portal. An Intercity
train headed by a Gysev Taurus is going downhill (5/2004).
Of
course the series of former rail attendant buildings continues in
the south too. Today they are used by private persons. In April
when the vegetation was still winter like this image was taken from
an opposite slope. A bit delayed train
EN 234 "Allegro Toska" passes this location at 7:50 on
its way to Vienna (4/2005).
The
Steinhaus viaduct is the first track building downhill the south ramp
(also see title). The shot was made from a skiing hill opposite to
the viaduct. Unfortunately the main subject is shaded by a "photo
cloud"… (5/2005). (top of page)
Once
again the Steinhaus viaduct, here from an opposite side view. A train
is on tour uphill. Between 1917 and 1958 a small 600 mm gauge forest
railroad was in steam operation here and transported wood to the main
line. It first passed the arch in front, then turned left and reached
the former loading zone at the opposite end of the viaduct (5/2005).
Behind
Steinhaus the last of the impressive Semmering viaducts the Holzergraben
viaduct is located. An intercity headed by class 1044 is going uphill.
Opposite to this viaduct a new interstate exit was built in 2004.
The old highway passes two of the viaduct's arches (5/2004).
The Jauern viaduct bridges the Jauern creek. The mountains in the
background are the Sonnwendstein with the antennas left, then the
Erz- and Peterbauerkogel, and finally the Hocheck at right. The train
will pass the Spital am Semmering station in a few minutes (6/2005).
(top of page)
Despite
here the main object is shaded by a "photographic cloud"
too, one may easily recognise the changed landscape style compared
with the north ramp. "Allegro Stradivari" from Venice passes
a construction section and some of the passengers maybe enjoy the
colourful meadows when passing (6/2005).
Like
many other stations the Spital am Semmering station is equipped with
3 tracks. A commuter train which had stopped here is starting uphill
this moment. Steering of the loco at train's end is performed remotely
from the front carriage (6/2005).
The
different scales of inclination between countryside and station area
are easily visible on this image showing a freight train approaching
the Spital am Semmering station. The indirect illumination produces
some kind of dramatic impression (4/2005). (top of
page)
The
station entry points of Spital am Semmering, before the inclination
is about 25 ‰. The view is compressed by using a tele lens.
In the meantime Taurus locos are that frequently in operation that
one already would prefer more variation in traction (4/2005).
A
train just of locomotives! Eight engines, 90 tons each, in summary
about compact 700 tons, are climbing uphill. I met such compositions
several times mainly on Sundays around noon. Obviously they are dedicated
for Vienna main station (5/2005).
I
think the square format better fits with this image than a rectangular.
A vintage class 4010 train (built in the 60s) quietly drives uphill.
From this position the resistors of the brake system are visible on
the roof of engine # 021 (5/2005). (top of page)
Now
we're already approaching Muerzzuschlag. After the right bend visible
a final straight section will follow before the station area is approached.
Shuttle compositions like this are today in commuter operation between
Muerzzuschlag and Wiener Neustadt (6/2005).
Now
a slight panorama image. This is the announced final straight downhill
section, then a RRX follows and finally a left turn enters the terminal
station of this presentation (5/2005).
Main
subject: a freight train with class 1044; sub subject: down right
some high speed track switch. This type generally has an extended
length and the switchblades are shifted compulsorily at several positions.
The loco will enter the ramp section in a few moments (5/2005). (top
of page)
First
impression: few railway; second impression: a lot of railway, but
in the background. View direction from east to west. In front of
us the area of the former railroad hub Muerzzschlag is visible,
former because a branch line to Neuberg was terminated few years
ago (5/2005).
This
one shows the Muerzzuschlag area. The wide angel lens enlarges
the loco in the foreground and all waggons in the back look
very very small and far away (5/2003).
Muerzzuschlag
station from the track side. In the background the station building,
in the middle the platforms with two trains. The intercity is
departing to Vienna while the oldtimer train headed by 1010.003
has still a bit to wait for departure (6/2004). (top
of page)
Now
something new: a new talent appeared, a commuter train named
"Talent". On track 5 at right the electrically powered
railcar is visible. 4024 is the class number of these low floor
articulated railcars. Trains which are operated using these
units are called Sprinter (6/2005).
Muerzzuschlag,
we see platform 2, track 3. In the background the area of the
former running sheds. About 50 years ago when looking in this
direction one would really have seen two separate steam loco
sheds, today only some locos for double head operation are visible,
waiting for the next job (6/2005).
This
is the former locomotive maintenance area. The steamer left
in the foreground is today part of the Kulturbahnhof exhibition.
In this area nowadays E locos wait for new double head requests.
Often 6 to 8 engines are present (5/2004). (top
of page)
During
the steam decades Muerzzuschlag was home of several steam machines.
The shown turntable plus the roundhouse is a relict of those
times. It is still used sometimes today (5/2003).
Green - yellow Taurus locos of Gysev class 1047 we have seen
already. This one is a new version (at reporting date). This
is one of five Oebb Taurus engines which are rent to Gysev for
20 years. Gysev is the Hungarian abbreviation of Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurt
railway. We see platform 1 Track 1 (6/2005).
Talent
adieu, one may think. The articulated train departs Muerzzuschlag
in direction south west. Checking the track mess in the foreground
one may recognize that all turnouts have position tags. Obviously
these tags are important for orientation when shunting tasks
are performed (6/2005). (top of page)
Here
my regular presentation ends. The line continues rather flat
passing the Muerz valley until "Bruck an der Mur",
which is the next railroad hub.
