The privately-owned Monterfon Railway (MBS) operates the line between a junction with the Arlberg Line at Bludenz and Schruns in the Silvretta mountains in the western province of Vorarlberg.
Under the tram-train concept, which was adopted from several variants examined in the study, the line would be extended south from Schruns to St Gallenkirch, Gortipohl and Gaschurn. A new loop would also be constructed at Vandans on the existing section which would enable tram-trains to serve the town centre.
The total cost of the project is estimated at €284m excluding rolling stock.
Services would be operated by a fleet of 40m-long tram trains, each with capacity for 200 passengers, which could operate in multiple if required.
The vehicles would have an entry floor height of 550mm and bodyshells would be the same width as conventional rail vehicles.
The study proposes either a half-hourly Bludenz - Gaschurn tram-train service or a combination of tram-trains and standard EMUs, the latter providing an hourly Bregenz - Bludenz - Schruns services with tram-trains operating hourly on the Bludenz - Schruns section and half-hourly between Schruns and Gaschurn.
The project could be completed within six years subject to funding.
For detailed data on tram-train projects around the globe, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
