Tyrolean Karwendel Railway

Slowed down by mudslides: train line closed for longer

One fire engine was still on the scene as of Tuesday.(Bild: ÖBB/Gasser-Mair )

Mudslides triggered a major emergency response on Monday evening along the spectacular Karwendelbahn route in Tyrol. Two trains were partially trapped by the debris—one even had to be evacuated. The Innsbruck-Seefeld route will now remain closed for several days.

Two regional trains were directly affected by the mudslides around 8 p.m. in rough terrain. A total of 21 people were on board the train heading toward Innsbruck. “The passengers were evacuated from the danger zone by the Zirl Fire Department, the Innsbruck Professional Fire Department, the Mountain Rescue Service, and the Mountain Patrol, and were then transported together from Zirl by vehicle to the Westbahnhof in Innsbruck,” officials said.

For the time being, all service on the Karwendelbahn line came to a complete halt on Monday evening.(Bild: ÖBB | SAE, Krone KREATIV)

Another train set turned back
The train heading toward Seefeld even ran into the debris and became stuck, according to the ÖBB. There were 40 passengers on board that train. “After assessing the situation on site, restoring the interrupted power supply, clearing the most severe damage, and inspecting the train set, it was decided that the train set could return to Westbahnhof.” There, all passengers disembarked unharmed around 11 p.m.

No More Train Service This Week
On Tuesday, the situation on site was thoroughly examined. It became clear that no trains will run on the Karwendelbahn line for the rest of this week at least. “The damage is considerable.” The connection between Innsbruck and Seefeld in Tyrol remains closed—expected to remain so through August 19. 

“Depending on the final assessment of the damage, it cannot be ruled out that the line closure will have to be extended,” according to ÖBB.

A mudslide also occurred just before a small tunnel.(Bild: ÖBB/Gasser-Mair )

Rail replacement service established
The infrastructure on site must now be inspected and, if necessary, repaired. Slope stabilization measures and the restoration of protective structures must also be carried out. In some sections, the overhead lines must also be repaired. ÖBB has already begun cleanup and restoration work. In the Martinswand area, a forest road is being cleared of debris to allow heavy equipment to access the track area. 

ÖBB has set up a rail replacement service between Innsbruck and Seefeld. Travelers are advised to check the railroad’s channels for updates before departure.

Severe storms on Monday evening caused problems primarily west of Innsbruck—particularly in the Zirl and Kematen areas. In addition to the Karwendelbahn line, the B171 Tiroler Straße was also blocked by mudslides—trapping ten cars.

More than 150 fire department responses
From Monday evening through Tuesday morning, a total of 153 fire department calls were recorded due to the severe weather, 109 of which were in the Innsbruck-Land district. In the municipality of Kematen alone, the fire department responded 56 times due to the severe weather. A total of 47 fire departments were on the scene.