The Vorortelinie (Suburban line) was opened in 1898, between Hütteldorf and Heiligenstadt, as part of the Stadtbahn but was used primarily for freight. One year later, a second track was added to the line. The Vorortelinie was designed personally by architect and city planner Otto Wagner, and was an early example of Art Nouveau style. Due to semi-rural area the Vorortelinie passed through, passenger traffic was low. Due to this, passenger service was terminated on 11 July 1932 and the Vorortelinie became a freight only railway. Due to the cancellation of passenger service, the route was reverted back to single track. Freight service steadily declined in the decades to come and was finally discontinued in 1975 as the Vorortelinie was abandoned.
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| A dormant Ottakring station in 1978. (TARS631 - tramwayforum.at) |
In 1979, the City of Vienna along with OBB looked into reviving the Vorortelinie, as the neighborhoods around the tracks were growing. The line was expanded back to two tracks and electrified. In 1984 a plan for the new passenger service was finalized and the Vorortelinie re-opened on 31 May 1987 as part of the Vienna S-Bahn. S45 was asigned to the route and operated between Hütteldorf and Heiligenstadt. Service was extened to Handelskai in 1996.
Today the S45 is the most frequent S-Bahn line in the system, operating every 10 minutes. Rolling stock on the S45 is usually a single Siemens Tallent EMU set, however class 4020 EMUs with the newer red-white paint-scheme operate on the line and is not uncommon to run in to them.
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| S45 - 20739 waiting to depart Hütteldorf station on track 11. (B'Tian Dorsam) |
The S45 begins on track 11 at Hütteldorf and heads east along the Westbahn to Penzig. After Penzig it curves north onto the Vorortelinie. The S45 travels through Vienna's northwestern suburbs below grade most of the time along a cut out and through several short tunnels. Stations along the line each have the distinct Stadtbahn architecture and are very nice to the eye.
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| S45 - 20744 at Ottakring. (B'Tian Dorsam) |
Ottakring is a transfer point to the U3 line of the Vienna U-Bahn as the S-Bahn and U-Bahn station are directly next to each other. Ottakring can also be considered a tram hub in eastern Vienna as 4 tram lines converge near the station.
After Ottakring, the S45 travels just south of Döbling and connects with the Franz-Josef railway just south of Heiligenstadt. Heiligenstadt, today, is a transfer point to the U4 line of the U-Bahn as well as the S40 line of the S-Bahn. Regional trains to Krems an der Donau also stop at the station. In the past Heiligenstadt served as a transfer point for three lines of the Stadtbahn. An abandoned elevated portion of the Stadtbahn can be seen south of Heiligenstadt along the Franz Josef railway.
After Heiligenstadt the S45 leaves the Vorortelinie and connects to the Donauuferbahn along the Danube river. This line is used as a freight bypass for trains coming from the north. The S45 terminates at Handelskai on platforms 11-12 on the ground floor. At Handelskai, transfer is available to the Stammstrecke (Trunk line) of the Vienna S-Bahn and the U6 line of the U-Bahn. A large shopping mall is right next to the station as well making Handelskai a place of recreation.
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| S45 - 20743 at Handelskai station waiting to head to the siding. (B'Tian Dorsam) |
Most cities in the world have that one line that is unique or different from the others. In Vienna, that "unique" line is the S45. It is not a mainline nor does it have freight traffic. On the Vorortelinie, you will not find any high-speed Railjet or ICE trains nor will you find Intercity trains with motive power. You will however find a charming and quiet route through some of Vienna's most scenic neighborhoods.
If you are just visiting Vienna, grab a hot cup of coffee and take a ride on the Vorortelinie, you wont regret it.
