Swiss manufacturer Stadler has opened a new high-speed-focused train workshop just outside Vienna, set to play a central role in the commissioning, certification and maintenance of its rolling stock in Austria. The site is currently being used to maintain private operator WestBahn’s Stadler KISS double-deck fleet of EMUs.
The facility, located in Obersiebenbrunn, was officially inaugurated last week on 10 April, but has been in operation since March, when it began servicing Westbahn’s trains. Stadler says the new workshop is designed to support its trains already in service in Austria as it also looks to boost its presence there.
“Austria is an important market for us,” said Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Stadler as the centre was formally launched. “That is why we are systematically expanding our presence. The new service centre is a key piece of the puzzle in this regard. With the new workshop, we are creating the conditions to maintain the high-speed trains efficiently. This is crucial for the stable and reliable operation of the trains.”
While Stadler is active across several segments in Austria, including regional and commuter rolling stock, Westbahn remains its only high-speed or near-high-speed customer. The operator’s fleet is primarily based on Stadler KISS units, alongside newly introduced CRRC-built trains, while Austria’s core high-speed services, including Railjet, mainly use Siemens-built rolling stock.
Facility aimed at wider operator use
Stadler said the site will also be available to other operators running its vehicles, and that it is intended to streamline testing and commissioning in Austria by standardising preparations for test runs and speeding up the entry into service of new trains.
“With this facility, we are responding to the increasing demands of an ever-more-congested and technologically sophisticated rail network,” said Christian Diewald, CEO of Stadler Austria. “In doing so, we are laying the foundations for maintaining trains efficiently, sustainably and to the highest technical standards.”