Zillertal Railway is one of the most scenic railways in Austria. It goes through the valley of the Ziller river from Jenbach in Inn river valley till the town of Mayerhofen, the biggest settlement in Zillertal.
At the Jenbach train station, the Zillertal Railway meets the West Railway, which runs as a standard gauge railway from Vienna to Bregenz, and the Achensee Railway a meter gauge railway. Hence, making Jenbach as the only place in Austria with the three different gauges.
Before opening the railway, the navigation between Mayerhofen or the Ziller Valley in general and the rest of Tyrol was through the small, poorly navigable road that ran through the swamps. Travellers to Mayrhofen needed to stay overnight in Zell am Ziller before reaching their destination.
Among railway buffs the Zillertal Railway is very popular for its narrow gauge and the use of steam engines. Several steam locomotives with the vintage rolling stock are used for the special trains for the promotional and touristic purposes.
In winter this 32 kilometre long railway is used mainly by the tourist visiting the ski-resorts in Zillertal, because it connects six gondola stations and offers free rides for ski-pass holders. It also serves as a commuter transport for the local people year-around.
The author
Ogi Savic
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