| Work Detail |
ÖBB will need to complete tests on 15,000 km of track in Carinthia and Styria before the Koralm Railway, connecting Graz and Klagenfurt, enters commercial operation on December 14, 2025. These tests are crucial to ensure the infrastructure is safe, efficient, and ready for the high-speed service that will eventually link the two cities. The majority of these test runs are conducted using individual locomotives or specially equipped test wagons, which are fitted with numerous sensors. These sensors carefully measure various aspects such as vibrations, power supply, and signal strengths to ensure everything is operating within the required specifications. In the initial phase, the track superstructure, including the rails, is tested at speeds of up to 160 km/h to evaluate its stability and integrity. Once these tests are completed, the overhead lines will be tested in stages, with speeds increasing to up to 250 km/h, the maximum speed permitted on the Koralm Railway. This is vital for confirming that the infrastructure can support the high-speed operations planned for the future. The final set of tests involves the European Train Control System (ETCS), a unified signalling and control system used across the EU. These ETCS test runs will be essential for ensuring that trains can communicate seamlessly with the infrastructure, enhancing safety and reliability. These critical measurement and test runs are carried out by specially trained train drivers who are highly skilled and experienced. Each driver must have several years of service as a trainee instructor in operational service and possess significant expertise in operating measurement trains. These runs demand precise accuracy and advanced technical knowledge, as even small errors could result in major disruptions. In addition to the test runs, training sessions are also conducted for the train drivers who will be operating on the Koralm Railway once it opens. As part of the training, videos of the route are recorded and used to ensure that future operators are fully familiar with the line and its requirements. Due to the ongoing tests, there will be temporary disruptions to local traffic on certain sections of the track already in operation. To accommodate the necessary track closures, a total of 32 test days are scheduled between April 14th and June 12th. In order to minimize the impact on commuter and student traffic, these tests will also take place on weekends and public holidays, typically between 07:30 and 15:00. The affected lines include the S6 line in Styria, which runs between Werndorf, Hengsberg, and Wettmannstätten, as well as the S3 line in Carinthia, between Klagenfurt and St. Paul im Lavanttal. During the closures, passengers will be provided with a bus replacement service to maintain travel options. The Koralm Railway, which spans 130 km, includes 50 km of tunnels, over 100 bridges, and 23 modern stations and stops. This ambitious project is part of the new Southern Line and is one of the most significant infrastructure developments in Europe. The centerpiece of the Koralm Railway is the 33-km-long Koralm Tunnel, which, once completed, will provide the fastest possible connection between the two state capitals. The travel time between Graz and Klagenfurt will be reduced to just 45 minutes, revolutionising the connection between these two cities and enhancing regional mobility. At the end of 2024, ÖBB celebrated the completion of track construction for the new Koralm Railway line, marking a significant achievement in the development of this major infrastructure project. However, the testing phase began much earlier, with test runs at speeds of up to 250 km/h starting in September 2023 between Klagenfurt and Wiederndorf-Aich. This phase is critical to ensure the railway can handle the planned high-speed services once the line is fully operational. In addition to these high-speed tests, ÖBB also began testing the bridges along the route in the summer of 2023. This was another essential step to ensure the stability and safety of the structures, particularly given the challenging terrain the railway crosses. The tests involved assessing the load-bearing capacity and overall condition of the bridges, as well as ensuring that they could support trains running at high speeds. One of the most notable milestones in the project was the first train journey with passengers through the Koralm Tunnel in July 2023. This was a momentous occasion, as the Koralm Tunnel is the longest tunnel on the Koralm Railway. The successful passenger journey through the tunnel demonstrated the significant progress of the project and highlighted the advanced technology being employed to ensure the railway’s safety and efficiency. It also marked the first time passengers were able to experience the future high-speed route through the tunnel. |
