Glandorf Railway Station
Three Railway Stations
Glandorf, West Station and St. Veit Railway Station
St. Veit an der Glan has been closely connected with the railway since the second half of the nineteenth century. The development of the railway stations at Glandorf, at today’s West Station, and at today’s St. Veit Railway Station illustrates how strongly the town had to campaign for its connection to the railway network.
With the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway, St. Veit gained access in 1868 to one of the most important railway lines of the Habsburg Monarchy. On 19 October 1868, the first train from Vienna passed through St. Veit towards Feldkirchen and Villach; on 30 September 1869, the first train to Klagenfurt followed. However, the main railway station could not be built any closer to the town. It was established in Glandorf, outside the town centre of the time. Only later was an additional station closer to the town approved: Stadt St. Veit Station, today’s West Station.
The railway transformed St. Veit permanently. The arrival of railway employees led to a noticeable increase in the population, and the town developed into an important railway junction in central Carinthia.
Glandorf Railway Station
The First Major Railway Station of St. Veit
Since 1868
The Glandorf Railway Station was the first major railway station in the St. Veit an der Glan area. It was opened in 1868 as part of the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway. The railway line ran from Launsdorf via Glandorf to Stadt St. Veit Station – today’s West Station – and from there towards Feldkirchen and Villach. In the opposite direction, the line branched off towards Klagenfurt.
The municipality of St. Veit had already sought during the planning phase to bring the railway station closer to the town. However, this was not achieved. The station site was located in Glandorf, near the former white-lead factory, later the industrial area associated with FunderMax. The distance from the town was regarded as a major disadvantage by both the municipality and the local population.
Glandorf remained an important railway location for decades. Emperor Franz Joseph I was ceremonially welcomed here during several journeys. Only with the opening of the new double-track line via Goggerwenig and of today’s St. Veit an der Glan Railway Station in 1912 did Glandorf lose its former role in passenger traffic. The old Launsdorf–Glandorf line was then abandoned for through passenger services.
The Glandorf Railway Station was, however, not completely closed. Following the commissioning of the Villach Süd marshalling yard in 1990, the former marshalling yard was greatly reduced but remained part of the railway infrastructure. Today, Glandorf is still operated by ÖBB as a transport point, offering rail, S-Bahn and bus connections.
West Station
From “St. Veit Stadt” Station
to Today’s St. Veit an der Glan-West
Since 1868
Today’s West Station originated from St. Veit Stadt Station, which had already been approved in connection with the construction of the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway. It was intended to provide the town with better access to rail services after the main station had been built at Glandorf and therefore outside the town centre.
The site also gained significance as an operational facility. The engine shed built in 1880 is among the oldest surviving railway engine sheds in Carinthia. Locomotives were maintained and serviced there. Today, the engine shed is particularly well known for its historic railway collection, including vehicles such as electric locomotive 1245.05 and railcars of Class 4042.
The West Station has also not been completely closed. It still exists today as the ÖBB transport point St. Veit an der Glan-West. ÖBB continues to operate the station with arrivals and departures as well as rail and S-Bahn services.
St. Veit an der Glan Railway Station
Central Railway Station Since 1912
On 1 October 1912, the new double-track line from Launsdorf via Goggerwenig to the new passenger station at St. Veit an der Glan entered service. The town thus finally obtained the more centrally located railway station for which it had campaigned since the 1860s.
The new railway station brought significant operational advantages. Above all, the reversal manoeuvre of trains at Glandorf was no longer necessary, meaning that locomotives no longer had to be moved to the opposite end of the train for services towards Klagenfurt. The new station became the town’s central passenger station and remains St. Veit’s most important railway junction to this day.
Between 2013 and 2015, the station was modernised. Today, it combines its historical role with modern transport infrastructure. Together with Glandorf and St. Veit an der Glan-West, it remains part of St. Veit’s long railway history.
Timeline
Year | Railway Station / Site | Significance |
1868 | Glandorf Railway Station | Opened as the main station of the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway in the St. Veit area. |
1868 | St. Veit Stadt Station, today St. Veit an der Glan-West | Station closer to the town on the original Rudolf Railway route. |
19 October 1868 | Crown Prince Rudolf Railway | First train from Vienna passed through St. Veit towards Feldkirchen and Villach. |
30 September 1869 | Connection to Klagenfurt | First train to Klagenfurt; Glandorf became an important railway junction. |
1880 | Engine shed at today’s West Station | Construction of the engine shed for the maintenance and servicing of locomotives. |
1 October 1912 | St. Veit an der Glan Railway Station | Opening of the new double-track line via Goggerwenig and of the new passenger station. |
From 1912 | Glandorf | Loss of its former role in passenger traffic, while continuing to serve railway operations. |
1990 | Glandorf | Reduction following the opening of the Villach Süd marshalling yard; remained part of the railway infrastructure. |
Today | St. Veit an der Glan-West | Continues as an ÖBB transport point with rail and S-Bahn connections. |
Today | Glandorf | Continues as an ÖBB transport point with rail, S-Bahn and bus connections. |