Murtalbahn

The Murtalbahn is a narrow-gauge railway running through the valley of the River Mur in Styria. It links Unzmarkt in the north with Tamsweg in Salzburg, covering 76.1 kilometres. The line is owned by the state of Styria and operated by Steiermärkische Landesbahnen. Five diesel-electric railcars run every two hours on the route. Goods trains still carry timber and petroleum hauled by diesel locomotives built in 1966. The railway opened in 1894 between Unzmarkt and Mauterndorf. A section between Tamsweg and Mauterndorf now operates as a museum railway called the Taurachbahn. Steam trains and special locomotive trips run on summer weekends between Murau and Tamsweg. In 2021 a railcar derailed after hitting a fallen tree, injuring seventeen people. Club 760 maintains a small museum in the locomotive shed at Frojach Katschtal station. Visitors find good photography spots along the valley between Madling and Tamsweg. The main workshop is at Murau station where the weekend steam services start. The railway’s infrastructure is maintained to mainline standards. The museum in the locomotive shed displays historic locomotives and equipment. The route follows the river through quiet countryside and small towns.