During the World War II, the tunnels of the Schloßberg, built in 1937, served as a haven from air raids for 40,000 people from 1943 onwards.

The extensive 6.3 km (3.9 mi) long tunnel system with 20 entrances offered protection to the inhabitants of the city.

The necessary construction work was supported by the private Mining and Railway Museum, which stores its heritage rail vehicles in the tunnels since 1984 but is not yet accessible for the general public.

In 1999, the railway was reopened, but was closed in 2000 due to the tightened safety regulations after the fire of the Kaprun disaster and taken over by the city of Graz.

[3] Each of the two electrically driven trains passes a total of 22 stations and stops at 10 of these, so that the passengers can illuminate the exhibits with their flashlights during the approximately 35-minute journey:[4] The modern concept of the Fairy Tale Express Graz [5] intends to offer both children from 4 years and above as well as adults an equally impressive experience, instead of presenting the fairy tale contents just by animated dolls as in earlier years.