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This article was published on 26.01.2026 and updated on 02.03.2026 – scroll down for the update.
The opening of Austria’s Koralmbahn has also caught the attention of private operator Westbahn. The company is preparing to launch services on the Vienna–Villach route from 1 March 2026, placing it in direct competition with state-owned ÖBB. Before operations can begin, however, Westbahn must secure suitable rolling stock. In recent days, the first of these trains has been seen undertaking test runs – in Austria.
First Westbahn Stadler SMILE in final livery – Karnten in the picture
Not long ago, images of Stadler Giruno unit 501 042 surfaced, mostly wearing the colours of Switzerland’s national operator SBB. However, it was the first of three units destined for Austrian private operator Westbahn. In the second week of January 2026, this unit arrived in Austria. Now, it got Westbahn’s final design in white, blue and lime, combined with ads promoting its future homeland: the Karnten region.
Second new train type within a short period
Within a short timeframe, Westbahn is adding a second completely new type of EMU to its fleet. Only recently, double-deck units from CRRC entered service, and now Swiss-built high-speed units are following.
The decision to lease Giruno units is closely linked to the opening of the new Koralmbahn. From March this year, Westbahn plans to launch new services connecting Vienna, Graz and Villach five time a day. As part of the route runs along the historic Semmeringbahn, where vertical clearance restrictions particularly in the Semmering Tunnel prevent the use of double-deck rolling stock such as Stadler KISS or CRRC units, an alternative solution was required.
Westbahn opted to lease three Giruno units for a period of six years directly from Stadler, a manufacturer with whom the operator has cooperated since its foundation.
Test runs under way
Earlier this year, unit 501 042 could still be seen performing test runs on Swiss infrastructure in the red-and-white livery of SBB. The unit was subsequently transferred to Linz, where it underwent final technical modifications ahead of test operations and entry into service in Austria, including the application of Westbahn’s corporate design.
On Monday, 26 January 2026, the unit was observed undertaking its first Austrian test runs on the Vienna–Villach corridor, marking a key milestone ahead of the planned launch of the new long-distance services.
Update 27.02.2026 – revenue service start
On February 27, 2026, Westbahn celebrated the new train with a celebration/presentation run on the Südbahn / Southern line with 501 042 and its Carinthian cultural motifs; A 3,5h train ride in the spirit of “Kunst und Kultur auf Schiene in Kärnten/Koroška”. The artistic direction of the programme was led by a distinguished creative team: Nadja Kayali (Carinthian Summer), Florian Eisner (Ensemble Porcia), Andreas Ickelsheimer (Heunburg Theater), and Arthur Ottowitz (Werner Berg Museum Bleiburg/Pliberk).
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On 01.03.2026, revenue services started as planned. Meanwhile, units 501 043 and 044 are in various stages of authorization.
