Achensee Railway, Rack railway in Jenbach, Tyrol, Austria
The Achensee Railway is a narrow-gauge rack railway that links Jenbach, in the Inn Valley, with the Achensee, the largest lake in Tyrol. The line climbs a steep slope using a toothed rack system that keeps the train firmly on track throughout the ascent.
The railway was planned in the 1880s and opened in 1889, giving people their first regular access to the mountain region around the lake. The line has continued to run with little change ever since, keeping its original route and technology in active use.
The railway takes its name from the lake it reaches, and for many locals it remains a symbol of how the valley and the mountains belong together. Passengers notice the gradual shift from the valley floor through dense forests to open mountain slopes as the train nears the water.
The journey from Jenbach lasts about an hour and climbs continuously, so warmer clothing is a good idea even in summer. It is worth checking the timetable in advance since only a few trains run each day, and planning the return trip with some extra time is advisable.
The steam locomotives used on the line are the same ones that entered service at the opening, and they are still fired with wood and coal today. This makes the Achenseebahn one of the very few railways in Europe where steam power is not a special event but the actual daily standard.
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