Steam trains and Austrian mountain views

Steam train in the Austrian Tyrol

All aboard the Zillertalbahn! Breathe the smell of the coal, listen to the rhythmic hissing of the cylinders and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a bygone era!

Zillertalbahn steam train Photo courtesy of Denoth

The Zillertalbahn, or Zillertal railway, is a narrow gauge rail road running along the beautiful valley of the River Ziller from Jenbach to Mayrhofen. Measuring just 760mm wide, this spectacular stretch of track first opened on 31 July 1902 to give the residents of the upper Ziller valley access to Jenbach and the main line railway in the Inn Valley and was considered an engineering marvel of its time.

Zillertal valley Tyrol Austria landscape

The line is still open today and the original steam trains, with their ornate Zillertal parish crests, still puff their way between these Tyrolean towns, the sedate pace allowing travellers plenty of time to take in the extraordinary beauty of the rugged mountains rising from the valley floor.

Zillertalbahn steam train Photo courtesy of Denoth

Experience the magic for yourself in September 2023 on our Late Summer Tour to the Austrian Tyrol here