- Attractive, climate-friendly regional transportation for the Innviertel region
- Largest individual commission to date for the Railway Technology business unit in Austria
- EQOS Energie team scores with flexibility and cross-sector expertise
EQOS Energie continues to forge ahead with climate-friendly mobility. The latest example is the modernisation of the Mattigtalbahn railway line in the Innviertel region of Upper Austria. Starting in 2025, the Catenary Systems Austria profit center will implement the electrification of the approximately 32-kilometre line section between Friedburg and Braunau for ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. This is the largest single contract to date for the Railway Technology business unit in Austria.
Modern rail infrastructure as the basis for the energy transformation
“Climate-friendly railway mobility stands and falls with a modern rail infrastructure that is efficient and thus ready for the challenges of the energy transformation. The expanded Mattigtalbahn railway line, which is equipped with sustainable technology, represents another important step in this direction and will make an essential contribution to climate protection,” said Carsten Kuhle, Managing Director and Head of the Railway Technology business unit at EQOS Energie. “The fact that EQOS Energie has been entrusted with such a large project by renowned customer ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG is very rewarding. During the tender process, we were able to prevail against several competitors due to our many years of experience and expertise in all areas of railway technology.” In addition, the foundation and mast installation work on the line, which is being carried out by EQOS Energie at the same time, will enable the realisation of considerable synergies.
Sustainable regional railway transportation by 2027
After the completion of the electrification of the Mattigtalbahn railway line, passengers will travel the entire route between Steindorf near Straßwalchen and Braunau with 100 percent green traction current – a significant contribution on the road towards climate-neutral mobility.
Bernhard Schuller, Head of the Catenary Systems Austria profit center at EQOS Energie, explains the special features of the project: “In view of the considerable scope of the project, the timelines are quite ambitious. After all, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG plans to put the modernised line into operation as early as the 2027/28 timetable change. Our team therefore has to plan the construction process flexibly in order to adhere to the project schedule despite the challenging conditions.”
The work will be carried out in three main phases with up to 20 fitters during peak times: EQOS Energie will start pre-assembling the masts in January 2025 and continue the foundation and mast installation work in additional sections in parallel. In 2026, the catenary wires will be installed before a team of around 10 highly experienced EQOS Energie fitters will finally tackle the installation of the catenary system in 2027. In order to minimise disruptions for rail passengers, the majority of the work will be carried out at night.
Photo: ÖBB/Heidemarie Pleschko