Advanced Rail Technology from voestalpine Drives Launch of Austria’s Longest Tunnel and High-Speed Southern Line

Advanced Rail Technology from voestalpine Drives Launch of Austria’s Longest Tunnel and High-Speed Southern Line

(IN BRIEF) voestalpine Railway Systems has delivered a major contribution to the new “Koralmbahn” rail connection between Graz and Klagenfurt, which opens on December 14, 2025. This milestone project includes the installation of 290 kilometers of premium long rails and 235 digital-ready turnouts in the 33-kilometer Koralm Tunnel—Austria’s longest. The company’s cutting-edge rail infrastructure technology and condition-monitoring systems provide high-performance, long-lasting, and safe operations. voestalpine’s collaboration with the Austrian Federal Railways reinforces its position as a global leader in railway system design, manufacturing, and digital innovation. This partnership highlights their shared commitment to modern, efficient, and sustainable rail infrastructure as part of Europe’s future mobility landscape.

(PRESS RELEASE) LINZ, 17-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — voestalpine Railway Systems, headquartered in Donawitz, Styria, has played a crucial role in the completion of Austria’s newest rail milestone, the “Koralmbahn,” which will launch full operation on December 14, 2025. As a major segment of the upgraded Southern Line, this vital new connection between Graz and Klagenfurt is supported by approximately 290 kilometers of premium, extra-long rails and 235 high-tech turnouts, all produced by voestalpine and installed along the track and inside Austria’s longest railway tunnel—the 33-kilometer Koralm Tunnel, now the sixth longest in the world.

The Austrian Federal Railways (OEBB) once again collaborated with voestalpine Railway Systems, leveraging the company’s deep expertise in track technology, infrastructure innovation, and digital safety systems.

“The launch of the Koralmbahn is not just a major advancement for commuters and travelers in southern Austria, but also a powerful economic boost for the surrounding regions,” says voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner. “We’re proud to contribute to one of Europe’s landmark infrastructure projects with our state-of-the-art rail and signaling solutions.”

The ultra-long rails—each 120 meters—were produced at the company’s advanced rolling mill in Donawitz. Optimized for speeds up to 250 km/h, these rails deliver superior performance and longevity, reducing both long-term maintenance needs and environmental impact. The innovative turnout systems, designed for smart infrastructure, were developed and manufactured at voestalpine’s Zeltweg site in Styria, with additional fabrication taking place at the joint voestalpine-OEBB plant in Woerth, Lower Austria.

In addition to track design and hardware, sophisticated digital condition monitoring systems enhance safety and efficiency across the network. voestalpine Railway Systems has introduced predictive maintenance technologies that allow real-time surveillance of infrastructure condition, tracking wear and performance to ensure reliable and cost-efficient maintenance operations.

“OEBB has always been a trusted partner and a champion of technological advancement,” remarks Franz Kainersdorfer, Member of the Management Board at voestalpine AG and Head of the Metal Engineering Division. “Together with OEBB, we’ve taken significant strides in infrastructure digitization—including the pilot rollout of our advanced monitoring systems on the Koralmbahn, supporting smarter, safer rail operations.”

voestalpine Railway Systems remains a key partner in global railway projects, supplying equipment and services to leading rail operators worldwide—from Europe and the Middle East to North America. Having supplied systems for the world’s longest rail tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, the company continues to shape major mobility projects.

For the business year 2024/25, voestalpine Railway Systems achieved revenues of €2.2 billion with around 8,400 employees globally—1,300 of whom are based in Austria.

Metal Engineering Division

The voestalpine Group