Feldkirch–Buchs railway explained

Feldkirch-Buchs
Linenumber:303 01 (ÖBB)
Gauge:1,435 mm
Electrification:15 kV 16.7 Hz ~ AC

The Feldkirch–Buchs railway is a electrified single track railway line that links Austria and Switzerland passing through Liechtenstein. Owned by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), it is the only railway line in Liechtenstein.

History

The line opened in 1872 between Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, during the opening period of the Vorarlberg Railway, and was electrified in 1926. As of the 2023 timetable change, the line is served by international trains (Railjet, EuroCity) that run non-stop between Feldkirch and Buchs, and the regional train S2 of Vorarlberg S-Bahn that stop at all intermediate stations in Austria and Liechtenstein.[1]

In June 2008, the canton of St. Gallen, the Federal State of Vorarlberg, and the Principality of Liechtenstein signed an agreement for a project to upgrade the line (and the surrounding ones) and to increase the rail traffic. The project, named was approved by Liechtenstein and Austria in a letter of intent signed in April 2020[2] and under that plan, it was to be fully realised by 2027 and would have costed an estimated 187 million.[3] That plan was, however, rejected by 62.3% of Liechtenstein voters in a referendum on 30 August 2020.[4]

Stations

StationDist. (km)TracksLocationCountryNotes
0.006Feldkirch town center (Levis quarter)AustriaConnections to
2.131Altenstadt quarter in FeldkirchAustria (irregular service)
3.591Gisingen quarter in FeldkirchAustria (limited service)
7.281Tisis quarter in FeldkirchAustria (limited service)
9.381Schaanwald, a civil parish of MaurenLiechtensteinDisused since 2013
11.473Nendeln, a civil parish of EschenLiechtenstein (irregular service)
14.121North of Schaan, close to the Hilti AGLiechtenstein (irregular service)
15.872[5] Schaan, 3.5km (02.2miles) from VaduzLiechtenstein (irregular service)
18.525BuchsSwitzerlandConnections to

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. A timetable scheduled on ÖBB's official website
  2. Web site: S-Bahn Liechtenstein to proceed. https://web.archive.org/web/20200502222520if_/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/s-bahn-liechtenstein-to-proceed/56358.article . 2020-05-02 .
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20221018140814if_/https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/austria-and-liechtenstein-to-finance-s-bahn-project/ Austria and Liechtenstein to finance S-Bahn project
  4. Web site: Voters reject Liechtenstein S-Bahn proposal. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921163925if_/https://www.railwaygazette.com/voters-reject-liechtenstein-s-bahn-proposal/57265.article . 2020-09-21 .
  5. The second track is not used for passenger trains