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Achensee
Achenseebahn & Achenseeschiffahrt

Rack Railway and Lake Vessels


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This page shows images of the Achensee narrow gauge rack railway plus the vessels which run on Achensee.

The Achensee is a lake north of Jenbach in Tyrol, Austria. It is the largest lake within the federal state, and has a maximal depth of 133 metres. Together with the Achental valley it parts the Karwendel mountain range in the west from the Brandenberg Alps in the east.



 

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Achensee
Achenseebahn & Achenseeschiffahrt

Rack Railway and Lake ships


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Achenseebahn (AB)

The Achenseebahn is a 6.78 kilometres (4.21 mi) long metre gauge railway running between Jenbach on the Innsbruck-Salzburg main line and Seespitz on the shore of Achensee in Tyrol (Austria). Within its length it rises some 440 metres (1,444 ft) in height, with the steeper sections using the Riggenbach rack system. It is Europe's oldest rack railway which is still steam operated. The terminus at Seespitz is by the pier for the boat services of Achenseeschiffahrt.

In 1886, Theodor Friedrich Freiherr von Dreifuss proposed to connect Jenbach to the Achensee. Despite concerns by villagers in the area, the proposal was supported by the monastery at Fiecht, which owned the Achensee and ran steam boats on the lake. Consent to build the line was given on 1 August 1888 by Emperor Franz Josef. The line was constructed by the Soenderop Company of Berlin. The official opening of the line was on 8 June 1889. The line originally ended a short distance short of the pier for the steamboats as it was intended to run a luggage service between Seespitz station and the pier at an extra charge. The railway was extended to a new station serving the steamboats in 1916.



AB No.1  Eben am Achensee (Theodor)

Postcards of Achenseebahn No.1
 Achenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








AB No.2  Jenbach (Hermann)

Postcards of Achenseebahn No.2
 Achenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Achenseebahn No.2 at Jenbach
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle

 Achenseebahn - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








AB No.3  Achenkirch (Georg)

Postcards of Achenseebahn No.3
 Achenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseebahn - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








Achenseebahn (AB) Publicity
2013 Timetable

2013 Timetable - 1MB PDF file
 Achenseebahn - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards Achenseebahn - www.simplompc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








Achenseeschiffahrt

Achensee was owned by the St Georgenberg-Fiecht Abbey, who had received it from the rulers of Schlitters around 1120. The city of Innsbruck bought the lake from the abbey in 1919. Since 1924 the Achensee has been managed by the Tiroler Wasserkraft AG (TIWAG), which was founded for this purpose. Originally, the lake's only outflow was the Achen Bach feeding the Isar. Since 1927, when the hydro-electric power station in Jenbach was finished, it primarily feeds the Inn, at a level difference of 380m below the lake. Eight pelton wheels running at 500 rpm produce a total of 96 MW.

When the Unterinntalbahn railway was finished through Jenbach in 1859, tourism started to flourish. In order to make the abbey profit, the first steamboat St Josef was acquired in 1887. Furthermore the construction of the 7 km long Achenseebahn narrow gauge rack railway was initiated, which went into service in 1889 between Jenbach and Seespitz. The same year, on July 21 a second steamboat, the St Benedikt (1) went into service. In 1890 the two boats with a capacity of 320 seats transported about 30,000 persons.

In 1911 a third scheduled boat, the Stella Maris went into service. It was an early passenger boat to be with a diesel engine at its construction. The boat was designed for 400 passengers. Its MAN diesel engine was similar to those later used in World War I submarines. However, the Stella Maris was difficult to manoeuvre. When the lake was bought by the city of Innsbruck in 1919, the boat was renamed into Stadt Innsbruck. In 1925 a motorboat named Tirol (1) was acquired, and in 1927 for the first time more than 100,000 persons were transported.

In 1959 the St Benedikt (1) was replaced with a modern diesel vessel named St Benedikt (2). In 1971 the Tirol (1) was replaced with a larger Tirol (2) for 40 passengers. In 1994 the much larger Tirol (3) went into service, replacing the Stadt Innsbruck, and in August 2007 the Stadt Innsbruck (2) replaced the St Benedikt (2).




St Josef
(Built: 1887  -  Rebuilt: 1951)

In order to make the abbey profit, the first steamboat St Josef was acquired in 1887. Furthermore the construction of the 7 km long Achenseebahn narrow gauge rack railway was initiated, which began operating in 1889 between Jenbach and Seespitz. In the same year, on July 21th a second steamboat, the St Benedikt (1) went into service. In 1890 the two boats with a capacity of 320 seats transported about 30,000 persons.

Postcards of St Josef as a steam ship
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Postcards of St Josef as a motor ship
Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





St Josef in 1989 as a motor ship
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








St Benedikt (1)
(1889-1958)

In order to make the abbey profit, the first steamboat St Josef was acquired in 1887. Furthermore the construction of the 7 km long Achenseebahn narrow gauge rack railway was initiated, which began operating in 1889 between Jenbach and Seespitz. In the same year, on July 21th a second steamboat, the St Benedikt (1) went into service. In 1890 the two boats with a capacity of 320 seats transported about 30,000 persons.

Postcards of Stadt Innsbruck
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








Stella Maris - Stadt Innsbruck

In 1911 a third boat, the Stella Maris went into service. It was an early passenger boat to be fitted with a diesel engine at its construction. The boat was designed for 400 passengers. Its MAN diesel engine was similar to those later used in World War I submarines. However, the Stella Maris was difficult to manoeuvre. When the lake was bought by the city of Innsbruck in 1919, the boat was renamed Stadt Innsbruck. In 1994 the large Tirol (3) went into service, replacing the Stadt Innsbruck

Stadt Innsbruck was built with a 200hp 6-cylinder MAN diesel, giving a speed 19km/hr. This was replaced by a 210hp MAN diesel in 1950, which increased speed to 27km/hr.
.


Monochrome postcards of Stadt Innsbruck
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Colour postcards of Stadt Innsbruck
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards




Stadt Innsbruck in 1989
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle
 Achenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Stadt Innsbruck in 1989
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle
Achenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





Stadt Innsbruck in 1989
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle
Achenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt - Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle - www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








St Benedikt (2)
(1959-2007)

In 1959 the St Benedikt (1) was replaced with a modern diesel vessel named St Benedikt (2) In August 2007 the St Benedikt (2) was replaced by the larger Stadt Innsbruck (2)..


Postcards of St Benedikt (2)
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards




St Benedikt in 1989
Photo: ©1989 Ian Boyle
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








Tirol (3)
(Built: 1994)

In 1994 the large Tirol (3) went into service, replacing the Stadt Innsbruck

Postcards of Tirol (3)
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards








Achenseeschiffahrt Fleet Postcards

Achenseeschiffahrt Fleet Postcards - Stadt Innsbruck, St Benedikt (2) and St Josef
 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon PostcardsAchenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





A post-1994 Achenseeschiffahrt Fleet Postcard
Tirol (3), St Benedikt (2), St Josef and a small motor boat

 Achenseeschiffahrt -  www.simplonpc.co.uk - Simplon Postcards





















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