OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIENNA
MÜRZZUSCHLAG – TRIESTE 13 HOURS 4 MINUTES
The 150-year-anniversary of the Ghega Semmering Railway, the certainly best known section of the old Southern Railway from Vienna to Trieste, was the reason for creating the cultural historical railway adventure world “SÜDBAHN Kulturbahnhof” (Southern Railway Culture Station) right at the railway station of Mürzzuschlag.
Due to the building of the railway to Graz in 1844, Mürzzuschlag is one of the oldest railway places of Austria. Marked by a rich railway history, Mürzzuschlag is situated at a central section of the southbound railway, the Semmering railway, which since 1998 as a “UNESCO World Cultural Heritage” has ranked among the most remarkable cultural treasures of the world.
“OVER THE MOUNTAIN / VIENNA – MÜRZZUSCHLAG – TRIESTE / 13 HOURS 4 MINUTES” does not, however, only mean the conquering of the Semmering mountain by rail, but also stands for overcoming distances in space, for the longing to get in touch with “The big wide world”. From the nostalgic departure concourse of the Southern Railway Culture Station with ticket office, kiosk, and café carriage we proceed into the former locomotive assembly shop on a thrilling journey through the manifold history of the railway.
From the track groove via the “iron” railway to the steam locomotive tells us about the past history. Already in 1825 first visions of a “rail-way” from Hamburg (??? Vienna?) to Trieste were formulated by the “Styrian Prince” Erzherzog Johann von Österreich (Archduke John of Austria).
“Under through & Above over”: Projections show impressively the most different planning-variations for overcoming the Semmering – a topical matter up to the present.
The visit of a viaduct construction site makes us experience the Semmering
railway as a total art work. Opened as a section of the Southern Railway
it became a piece of Austrian identity.
The exhibition, however, also shows on the basis of the Southern Railway
in an exemplary way how the life of the people has been deeply changed
by the railway till today.
The railway was the driving force for the soaring commerce and the industrial
revolution. “Hans” (John), the old locomotive of the Schoeller-Bleckmann
Company’s works-railway stands as an example for the growth of the
iron- and steel-industry along the Southern Railway.
But the development of the railway also creates childhood dreams, and
the new job profile “Railwayman”.
In the train of fates we get enveloped by the social history of travelling:
We meet passengers of the First, Second and Third Class, and hear about
Empress Elizabeth (“Sisi”), who complains about a shortcoming
of the heating!
Influences and effects of the railway on tourism, landscape, communication and the Universal Coordinated Time are shown, as well as the fear of the railway, of the railway accident, interpreted for all senses in the old tunnel, where formerly the axles of locomotives were changed.
On the fuming and whistling “locomotive of senses”, a symbol of the railway per se, you experience loudly a virtual journey across the Semmering to the south.
And what will the future of the railway be like? Which switches will
be thrown? Visions and positions show the internationalisation and the
future of the rail.
In front of the Culture Railway Station the old “91.32”, the
former “Neuberger” steam locomotive (once serving the picturesque
line between Mürzzuschlag and Neuberg) with its two original southern
railway carriages from the 19th century sees us off!
