The Austrian Federal Railway, ÖBB, has begun operating freight services on its new Koralm Railway, which connects the cities of Graz and Klagenfurt.

The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group is transporting goods along the 130 kilometres of the new line.

On Tuesday (4 November), one of the first trains to run on the line was a single wagonload train operated by the ÖBB Rail Cargo Group.

At the Villach South shunting yard, wagons were assembled, and the train then hauled them along the new line to Graz.

On arrival, the wagons were separated at the shunting yard and were then distributed to their final destinations.

ÖBB sees the commissioning of the Koralm Railway as an important step forward for freight transport. The new freight route means that trains between Villach South and Graz will no longer need to detour via Knittelfeld, Leoben and Frohnleiten.

The new route is flat, which enables trains to carry heavier loads, up to an extra 250 to 280 tonnes per train. ÖBB expects shorter journey times and more efficient rotations will save up to 300,000 train kilometres per year.

The Koralm Railway will play a role in connecting Europe from north to south, as it integrates the southern axis into the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor. The Corridor is one of the continent’s most significant freight transport routes, connecting economic areas between the Baltic Sea and the Adriatic Sea.

ÖBB argues that the Koralm Railway’s usefulness will be enhanced by other major projects such as the Semmering Base Tunnel.

The Koralm Railway has been one of Europe’s most significant infrastructure projects, and began construction in 2001.

It has 130 kilometres of new track, around 50 kilometres of tunnels, more than 100 bridges and 23 stations and stops.

At its centre is the Koralm Tunnel, which is 33 kilometres long. To keep the numerous tunnels safe, ÖBB ordered firefighting trains specially designed to be effective in tunnel conditions.

On Sunday, 14 December 2025, the first passenger trains will run on the Koralm Railway. This will reduce travel time on the RJX from Graz to Klagenfurt from more than two hours to just 41 minutes.

“The start of freight transport on the Koralm Railway marks a new chapter for rail freight transport in Austria. Thanks to the new Koralm Railway, we can offer our customers shorter transport times and increased capacity for climate-friendly logistics.”

Clemens Först, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group CEO