1.2 kilometers on foot

Tree falls on overhead line: S-Bahn evacuated!

Due to a tree falling into the overhead line, the S-Bahn was stranded on the open track.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer, FF Gries am Brenner)

The snow also caused problems in Tyrol on Wednesday - specifically on the Brenner line! A tree fell onto the overhead line there in the morning. A suburban train was "stranded" in impassable terrain. The train set had to be evacuated with the help of the fire department. Passengers then had to walk around 1.2 kilometers on foot.

A tree fell onto the ÖBB overhead line between Steinach and Brenner at around 6.45 a.m. on Wednesday morning due to the snow load. The line was interrupted as a result - a rail replacement service was set up.

Train stranded on the open track
At the time, an S-Bahn train was traveling there - it was stranded in the section without power. On open track, in impassable terrain - there was nowhere near enough to get to it with vehicles.

"The train set had to be evacuated with the help of the fire department," explains ÖBB press spokesman Christoph Gasser-Mair in response to an inquiry from Krone. The remote location and the snow made the operation more difficult.

They then walked along the tracks for around 1.2 kilometers to a location that could be reached by vehicle.

Feuerwehr-Einsatzleiter Andreas Jenewein

"There were four passengers and the train crew on board," explains fire department operations manager Andreas Jenewein. "They then walked along the tracks for around 1.2 kilometers to a place that could be reached by vehicles," continued Jenewein. From there, the uninjured passengers were then taken to Steinach am Brenner station.

ÖBB workers removing the tree.(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Restricted train services possible
The repair work began early in the morning. By midday, some of the damage had been repaired. One track has now been reopened, ÖBB announced. This means that a "basic service" can once again be guaranteed on the Innsbruck-Brenner route at hourly intervals, while other trains to Brenner will continue to be operated as rail replacement services. The second track should be available again by around 6 p.m. in the evening, the railroad company emphasized.

During the morning, long-distance services were also briefly affected on the route. However, ÖBB spokesperson Gasser-Mair said around midday that this could be resumed once the situation had eased and some of the damage had been repaired

Incident already on Tuesday evening
Another overhead line damage had already occurred on Tuesday evening between Steinach and Innsbruck. Only one track is currently available in this area. As a result, some of the local trains are also canceled for the time being and are being operated as rail replacement services.