Pöstlingbergbahn

The Pöstlingbergbahn (German pronunciation: [ˈpœstlɪŋˌbɛʁkbaːn] ⓘ) is a narrow-gauge electric railway, or "mountain tramway", in Linz, Austria.

It connects the main square in the centre of Linz with the district of Pöstlingberg, located at the top of a hill (or small mountain) at the northern end of the city.

Opened in 1898, for 110 years the metre-gauge railway ran from a terminal station in Linz's Urfahr neighbourhood, located across from the terminus of urban tram route 3, to Pöstlingberg.

From the end of the 18th Century, the mountain was increasingly frequented by hikers, especially after the summit area had been cleared for military reasons in 1809 and in the 1830s and revealed an impressive view.

In 1897 the construction company Ritschl & Co. purchased the fort and three months later, transferred the property rights over the land to the newly established Tramway- und Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft Linz-Urfahr (Tramway and Electric Company Linz-Urfahr) (TEG), the forerunner of today's Linz AG.

During the war and immediate postwar years, passenger numbers rose because of an increase in city dwellers taking trips into the countryside in search of scarce provisions.

Mayor Dobusch proposed rebuilding the railway and extending service to Linz's main square.

In addition, three old trams (VIII, X and XI) from the then-current fleet were chosen to be retained and modernized through rebuilding of their chassis, and the fitting of dual traction control systems.

The official opening of the rebuilt and extended Pöstlingbergbahn was held on 29 May 2009, in time to celebrate the line's 111th anniversary.

Information about various topics such as history, technology, and the vehicles is presented, along with smaller exhibits such as examples of rails, pantographs and the clasp brakes.

1954-built car XIV climbing the hill, near Schableder stop
Open car II in service in 1970
Car XV leaving Tiergarten stop (stop for the zoo of Linz) in a light snowfall, three days before the end of meter-gauge operation and trolley pole current collection