HYBRID TRACTION SYSTEMS FOR THE ZILLERTAL RAILWAY IN AUSTRIA

Abstract

Many branch lines and even some main railway lines are still operated with diesel engines. As soon as these engines came close to their end of life, the question about alternative drive systems will come up. This happened in 2017 for the narrow gauge railway from Jenbach to Mayrhofen in Tyrol, Austria. The attempt to introduce hydrogen empowered trains failed in 2023. The following investigation about the best suitable decarbonized energy supply for traction and auxiliary usages taught once again that only the common and synchronous optimization of vehicle, infrastructure, and operation leads to a global optimum. The various scenarios are compared and rated for technical, commercial, and timeline factors. To realize an electric operated railway with a catenary may cause local resistance. We will show how it was solved in the specific case. The mobility plan with 18% less travel time will be fulfilled based on simulation calculation, the results have already been considered by the local authorities.