# Austrian Federal Railways

> Austrian state-owned railway company

**Wikidata**: [Q83822](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83822)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Federal_Railways)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/austrian-federal-railways

## Summary
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is a state-owned railway company in Austria, founded in 1919, succeeding the Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways. It operates rail transport services, including high-speed Railjet trains, and owns subsidiaries like Rail Cargo Austria. The company is headquartered in Vienna and plays a key role in Austria's rail infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Aliases**: ÖBB, OBB
- **Website**: [https://konzern.oebb.at/](https://konzern.oebb.at/), [https://www.oebb.at/](https://www.oebb.at/)
- **Employees**: 40,265
- **Inception**: November 21, 1919 (officially established), March 31, 2004 (modernized structure)
- **Headquarters**: Vienna, Austria
- **Industry**: Rail transport, rail freight transport
- **Subsidiaries**: Rail Cargo Austria (founded 2005), Railteam (founded 2007)
- **Predecessor**: Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways (founded 1884)
- **Owned by**: Austria, Tauern Railway, Semmering Railway, and other infrastructure projects
- **Operates**: Railjet (high-speed service, launched 2008), Nightjet (overnight trains, launched 2016)
- **Key infrastructure**: Karawanken Tunnel (1906), Tauern Railway Tunnel (1909), Arlberg Railway Tunnel (1884)
- **Locomotives**: ÖBB 1014, ÖBB 1044, ÖBB 2043, and other classes
- **Stations**: Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station), Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, Graz Hauptbahnhof, and others
- **Affiliated with**: International Union of Railways (founded 1922), EUROFIMA (founded 1956)
- **Notable figures**: Christian Kern (Austrian politician and businessman), Valerie Hackl (businesswoman)

## FAQs
- **What is the full name of Austrian Federal Railways?** The full name is Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB), commonly referred to as Austrian Federal Railways.
- **When was ÖBB founded?** ÖBB was officially established on November 21, 1919, succeeding the Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways.
- **What services does ÖBB operate?** ÖBB operates passenger services like Railjet (high-speed trains) and Nightjet (overnight trains), as well as freight services through Rail Cargo Austria.
- **What are ÖBB’s key subsidiaries?** ÖBB owns Rail Cargo Austria (founded 2005) and is a member of Railteam (founded 2007).
- **What major infrastructure projects does ÖBB manage?** ÖBB manages the Karawanken Tunnel (1906), Tauern Railway Tunnel (1909), and the Arlberg Railway Tunnel (1884).
- **Which locomotives are used by ÖBB?** ÖBB operates classes like ÖBB 1014, ÖBB 1044, and ÖBB 2043, among others.
- **What are ÖBB’s most important stations?** Key stations include Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station), Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, and Graz Hauptbahnhof.
- **Who are notable figures affiliated with ÖBB?** Notable figures include Christian Kern (politician and businessman) and Valerie Hackl (businesswoman).
- **What organizations is ÖBB affiliated with?** ÖBB is affiliated with the International Union of Railways (founded 1922) and EUROFIMA (founded 1956).

## Why It Matters
ÖBB is a cornerstone of Austria’s transportation infrastructure, ensuring efficient rail transport for passengers and freight. Its high-speed Railjet service connects major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, enhancing regional and international travel. The company also plays a crucial role in Austria’s economic development by supporting logistics and tourism. ÖBB’s modernized infrastructure, including tunnels like the Karawanken Tunnel, has improved connectivity across the country. Additionally, its affiliation with international bodies like the International Union of Railways strengthens its role in European rail networks.

## Notable For
- **First high-speed rail service in Austria**: ÖBB launched Railjet in 2008, revolutionizing rail travel in the country.
- **Modernization of Austrian rail infrastructure**: ÖBB has upgraded key tunnels and stations, including Wien Hauptbahnhof.
- **Overnight train innovation**: The Nightjet service, introduced in 2016, provides comfortable long-distance travel.
- **Subsidiary leadership in rail freight**: Rail Cargo Austria, a subsidiary of ÖBB, specializes in freight transport.
- **Key player in European rail alliances**: ÖBB is a member of Railteam, a high-speed rail operator alliance.

## Body
### History
ÖBB was founded on November 21, 1919, succeeding the Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways, which had been established in 1884. The company underwent a modernization process in 2004, formalizing its structure and operations. ÖBB has played a pivotal role in Austria’s rail history, including the development of high-speed rail services and the management of critical infrastructure projects.

### Operations
ÖBB operates a vast network of rail services, including the Railjet (launched 2008) and Nightjet (launched 2016). The Railjet service connects major Austrian cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, offering high-speed travel. The Nightjet provides overnight train services, enhancing long-distance travel options. ÖBB also manages freight transport through Rail Cargo Austria, founded in 2005.

### Infrastructure
ÖBB manages key infrastructure projects, including the Karawanken Tunnel (1906), Tauern Railway Tunnel (1909), and the Arlberg Railway Tunnel (1884). These tunnels are crucial for Austria’s rail network, ensuring connectivity across the country. ÖBB also operates and maintains major stations such as Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station), Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, and Graz Hauptbahnhof.

### Locomotives and Rolling Stock
ÖBB operates a variety of locomotives and rolling stock, including the ÖBB 1014, ÖBB 1044, and ÖBB 2043. These locomotives are essential for maintaining the company’s extensive rail network. ÖBB also uses modern rolling stock like the ÖBB 4020 motor coach and the ÖBB 4746, which support passenger and freight services.

### Subsidiaries and Affiliations
ÖBB owns subsidiaries like Rail Cargo Austria (founded 2005) and is a member of Railteam (founded 2007). The company is also affiliated with the International Union of Railways (founded 1922) and EUROFIMA (founded 1956), which support its operations and influence in the rail industry.

### Notable Figures
ÖBB is associated with notable figures such as Christian Kern, an Austrian politician and businessman, and Valerie Hackl, an Austrian businesswoman. These individuals have contributed to ÖBB’s development and operations.

### Stations and Services
ÖBB operates numerous stations across Austria, including Wien Hauptbahnhof, Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, and Graz Hauptbahnhof. These stations are vital for passenger and freight transport. ÖBB also provides services like the Vienna S-Bahn, Salzburg S-Bahn, and Tyrol S-Bahn, which enhance urban and regional rail connectivity.

### Competitive Advantages
ÖBB’s competitive advantages include its modern infrastructure, high-speed rail services, and efficient freight transport. The company’s affiliation with international bodies and its leadership in European rail alliances further strengthen its position in the industry.

## References

1. 20th Century Press Archives
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](http://www.railteam.eu/de/warum-railteam/unsere-allianz/obb/)
4. [Source](https://vademecum.uic.org/en/memberDetail/102)
5. [Source](https://www.cit-rail.org/media/files/cit_members_2022-03-01.pdf?cid=282652)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://blog.oebb.at/andreas-matthae-zum-neuen-holding-ceo-bestellt/)
8. [Source](http://diepresse.com/home/wirtschaft/economist/545179/Offiziell_Christian-Kern-wird-neuer-OBBChef)
9. Google Knowledge Graph
10. GRID Release 2015-12-14
11. GRID Release 2016-12-06
12. [Source](https://konzern.oebb.at/dam/jcr:3a7eda30-9fee-475c-a40c-7e12350c4689/OEBB_Zahlen_2024.pdf)
13. [Source](https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/299369/umfrage/fahrgaeste-der-oesterreichischen-bundesbahnen/)
14. [Source](https://kurier.at/wirtschaft/oebb-bahn-fahrgaeste-zahlen-2024-verkehr-zuege/403019936)
15. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
16. Name Suggestion Index