Zillertal Railway modernization covers full Tyrol line

Zillertal Railway modernization will see Siemens Mobility fully update the traffic control and management system on the Austrian narrow-gauge line in Tyrol.

The work will cover the complete 32-km route between Jenbach and Mayrhofen. The project is the largest Austrian deployment based on Siemens Mobility’s Trainguard STC technology⁠.

Under the agreement with operator Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe, Siemens Mobility will install a new digital rail traffic control system and maintain it for at least 20 years. The upgraded system is expected to enter service in 2028.

The solution will supervise and coordinate operations across the whole route. The line includes 10 stations, 8 stops, 82 switches, and a fleet of 16 trains. Radio communication and satellite technology will support continuous monitoring of rail traffic, with the aim of improving safety and operating efficiency.

Tanja Kienegger, CEO of Siemens Mobility Austria, said:

“We are transforming the historic Zillertal Railway into a model of modern mobility. Through our technologies, we are contributing to the development of more efficient, safer, and high-performance rail transport that will benefit passengers, the rail operator, and the environment,”

Zillertal Railway modernization on the full route

The control system upgrade is part of a wider transformation of the Zillertal Railway. The broader program also covers the full decarbonization of the route⁠ through electrification and the use of sustainable solutions in rail operations.

Andreas Lackner, a member of the Board of Directors of Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe, said:

“The modernization of the train control system is a huge step toward the future for the Zillertalbahn. This project meets the ever-increasing demands for safety, efficiency, and digitalization and is closely linked to our decarbonization program, which includes the new overhead contact line and sustainable solutions for rail operations. In this way, we are laying the foundation for modern, environmentally friendly mobility in the Zillertal Valley,”

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The Zillertalbahn has served rail passengers in Tyrol for more than 120 years. With the new system, the line will be able to operate according to modern standards. Passengers will receive real-time information about arrivals and departures both online and at stations. Stop requests at stations will also be handled digitally, helping to improve the flow of traffic.

Digital traffic control and safety functions

Safety functions will also be strengthened on board the trains. Each unit will receive onboard equipment designed to support the driver by calculating braking curves automatically, monitoring speed continuously, and applying the brakes if the permitted speed is exceeded.

The system will also be connected to 23 level crossings. Trains will only be allowed to pass after the safety systems have confirmed that they are operating correctly. If a fault occurs, the technology will stop the train automatically before it reaches the crossing.

Trainguard STC for narrow-gauge railways

Trainguard STC was developed by Siemens Mobility for regional and narrow-gauge railways. The system provides a high level of automation without requiring complex lineside signalling infrastructure. Its use of radio communication and satellite positioning is intended to reduce operating and maintenance costs while increasing line capacity and safety.

The control-system project is part of a broader shift on the Zillertalbahn. Official Tirol planning documents describe the line as one of the remaining non-electrified railways in the region and link its future operation to renewable energy. The same transport reporting says the existing diesel vehicles are approaching the end of their service life and are to be replaced by an emissions-free drive system.

The currently supported approach is an Akku-Hybrid variant with partial overhead electrification, charging infrastructure and battery operation on sections without overhead wires. (tirol.gv.at⁠) (tirol.gv.at⁠) (tirol.gv.at⁠)

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