The Achenseebahn (Tyrol/Austria), a steam rack-and-pinion railway over six kilometres between Jenbach and Seespitz on Lake Achensee, is currently under enormous time pressure. Bankruptcy proceedings have been opened at the Innsbruck regional court over the assets of the public limited company after the Tyrolean parliament rejected further subsidies for the railway, which is in urgent need of renovation. If no liquid funds are made available by third parties within a short period of time so that liabilities due at short notice can be serviced, there is a threat of closure of the company and thus the irrevocable “end” for the historic railway. In principle, however, the Achenseebahn AG does not appear to be over-indebted in view of its assets.
The Achenseebahn is a unique cultural and historical jewel. The operation is still carried out with the more than 130 years old locomotives and carriages, which have been handed down in the original. Together with the infrastructure that has been in continuous use since the opening, these vehicles and the installations from the imperial era represent a railway technical heritage of European rank.
The insolvency administrator will now decide whether the preparations for the start of operations will be continued. A continuation of operations with subsequent redevelopment, supported by the mayors of the owner communities, would at the same time mean that the concession would be retained.
Every help is welcome to the railway as well as the signing of an international petition to save the Achensee railway (see below 12-03-20) or to become a member of the elite association of supporters of the “Achenseebahn-Förderverein 1000 Tausender e.V.” registered in Jenbach, Austria.
