📋 Tender Overview
Over 280 test drives with up to 250 km/h completed
Fastest means of transport: travel time of 45 minutes between Graz and Klagenfurt secured
This is followed by official approval procedures, the final timetable creation, training and safety training
(Graz/Klagenfurt, June 18, 2025) - The new high -performance route between Graz and Klagenfurt has been put through its paces in the past few weeks. With individual locomotives, special measurement cars and railjets, highly qualified specialists have checked the route at speeds of up to 250 km/h and collected important information. Andreas Mattha, who was involved in one of the test drives, is enthusiastic: Sometimes reality exceeds the most beautiful dreams. At least thats how it happened to me when I was able to take part in a test drive with the OBB Railjet on the new Koralbahn. We will experience the fastest connection between Graz and Klagenfurt in the future.
Precise technology and meticulous planning as a basis
With the end of the tests, the daily route locks in Carinthia and Styria will also end. Klaus Schneider, project manager of OBB Infrastructure AG, satisfied with satisfaction: The results of the test phase are very positive for us. They show that our calculations and models can withstand real operation and that all systems and components work perfectly. This is another important milestone that brings us a big step closer to commissioning on December 14, 2025. Behind the extensive tests was a large team of highly qualified specialists: inside. These include OBB-Expert: inside for radio technology, rail systems, road technology, measurement technology and road analysis. They were supported by specialists from the company management center, the route and timetable management, experienced teaching leaders: inside and external partners for scheduling and the European train security system ETCS (European Train Control System).
The various vehicles that were used were provided with highly sensitive sensors and precisely recorded or measured vibrations, energy supply and signal strengths. First, the superstructure - i.e. the track systems - was driven at speeds of up to 160 km/h. This was followed by continuously increasing speed tests of the overhead line, the GSM-R train radio system and the EU-wide uniform train protection system ETCs. All systems were gradually touched up and were even 10% above the maximum speed of a railjet for approval at 250 km/h, which is traveling in regular operation at 230 km/h. This ensures that the main train stations Graz and Klagenfurt can be connected in 45 minutes. So far, the travel time on the rail has been almost 3 hours. The travel time is about 90 minutes by car. How the travel times look in detail will be determined after the summer. The OBB are planning the announcement of the 2025/26 schedule for September 16, 2025.
The next steps
Before the freight traffic on the Koralbahn will start in October, the final official approval procedures for the new line are on the program. The new integrated clock schedule for passenger traffic will be completed in summer and presented in September. From August, extensive training for the many train drivers will follow: Inside and technicians: Inside the OBB route management - these will in future be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the route. In addition, further important security exercises with blue light organizations from both federal states will take place in the next few months until commissioning.
