The Wachau Railway is characterised by the fact that it runs through historic town centres and along rock faces. Narrow and wide spaces alternate along the route. This creates interesting spatial sequences, which we explored by train and bike. The alignment along the steep rock formations of the Bohemian Massif also presents challenges. Like sculptures, individual protective structures appear along the railway line. As aesthetic elements, they add a new layer to the existing railway-related structures such as tunnels and bridges. Equipped with cameras and a drone, we documented the engineering works along the railway, most of which serve to protect against falling rocks.

This year, we combined our site visit in spring with attending a symposium at the University for Continuing Education Krems. At the event entitled “Wachau mobility with innovation and tradition”, the opportunities and potential of the Wachau Railway were discussed. How can the railway, which is currently mainly used for tourism, become attractive for commuters again? The speakers covered a wide range of topics, from the history of the Wachau Railway to the challenges of increasing frequency and year-round operation. Topics such as safety at railway crossings, accessibility and monument protection were discussed. An important goal for the future is the emission-free operation of the railway. International speakers and examples from other federal states contextualised the Wachau Railway. The symposium discussed the role of the Wachau Railway as a means of transport for the post-fossil society and thus complemented the topics of Wachau Routes.

We travelled through the Wachau on a special train. The apricot orchards were already in full bloom. Looking through the windows of the moving train, the details in the foreground become blurred and the landscape merges into a panorama. The hillside track in a slightly elevated position offers a good view of the Danube valley.