West Railway Station
Three Railway Stations
Historical Overview
St. Veit an der Glan, a town steeped in history, is uniquely shaped by its rail infrastructure. Three key railway stations have served the town, each with its own role: Glandorf Railway Station, West Railway Station, and the present-day St Veit Railway Station.
Glandorf Railway Station
The First Rail Gateway
(1868–1990)
The Glandorf Railway Station was the first railway station to serve St. Veit an der Glan. Opened in 1868, it was part of the Kronprinz-Rudolf-Bahn, a vital line connecting Vienna to the southern regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Despite the economic promise of rail, the townspeople of St. Veit originally opposed a railway line near the town centre, citing fears of smoke and noise from steam engines. As a compromise, the station was built outside the town, in the village of Glandorf, roughly 2 km from the centre.
For decades, Glandorf served both passenger and freight traffic, and even hosted Emperor Franz Joseph I, who often used it as a stopover on his journeys to Trieste and the south.
After the decision to build a new double-track route, the St Veit Railway Station opened in 1912, absorbing all passenger operations. Glandorf was then repurposed as a shunting yard and freight depot until its final closure in 1990.
Westbahnhof
Freight Handling, Locomotive Servicing, and Marshalling Operations
(1912–1990)
Constructed in 1912, the Westbahnhof (West Railway Station) was part of the expansion accompanying the new double-track route between Althofen and St. Veit. Situated on the town’s western outskirts, it played a key logistical role rather than serving as a public terminal.
Although briefly equipped for passenger service, it never developed into a primary stop and was soon dedicated to freight handling, locomotive servicing, and marshalling operations.
The Heizhaus (engine shed), built in 1880 and still standing today, became the heart of Westbahnhof’s activities. It serviced locomotives and now houses a nostalgic rail collection, including the last operational ÖBB Class 1245.05 electric engine and historic 4042-series express railcars.
The Westbahnhof remained active in these support roles until 1990, when it was closed along with the Glandorf Station.
St Veit Railway Station
Central Rail Hub
(Since 1912)
St Veit Railway Station opened on 30 September 1912, marking a major transition in local rail infrastructure. It was the last Austrian railway station to be opened under the monarchy, and its location brought rail travel directly into the town centre.
Designed with passenger comfort and urban integration in mind, St Veit Railway Station replaced Glandorf and Westbahnhof for public travel.
Renovated between 2013 and 2015, the station now combines historical architecture with modern amenities, maintaining its role as the central hub for passenger traffic in St. Veit and the surrounding region.
Timeline
Functions of the Railway Stations Over Time
Year | Station | Function(s) |
1868 | Glandorf Station | Opened for passenger and freight service on the Kronprinz-Rudolf line. |
1870s – 1912 | Glandorf Station | Station of the Crown Prince Rudolf Railway. Emperor Franz Joseph I also stopped here. |
1912 | Westbahnhof | Opened for freight, briefly used for passenger service. |
30 Sep 1912 | St Veit Railway Station | Official opening; became the main passenger station for the town. |
1912 | Westbahnhof | Transitioned to freight and locomotive depot. |
1990 | Glandorf Station | Closed permanently. |
2013–2015 | St Veit Railway Station | Renovated; maintains historical character with modern upgrades. |