ÖBB makes Villach greener: marshalling yard is being sustainably converted!

ÖBB makes Villach greener: marshalling yard is being sustainably converted!

The ÖBB is modernizing the Villach marshalling yard and is placing a clear focus on environmental aspects. This conversion is part of a comprehensive plan aimed at achieving climate neutrality in all areas of mobility, buildings and operational facilities by 2035. An important step in this process is the conversion of the 218 point heaters at the station. Currently, 197 of them have already been converted to electric heating, while the remaining 21 are scheduled to be retrofitted by 2027. The planned phase-out of natural gas switch heating by 2030 will result in around 800 tons of CO₂ emissions being saved annually, as [bahnblogstelle.com] reports.

Special attention is also paid to the lighting in the marshalling yard. There is currently a switch to insect-friendly LED lights that emit a maximum light temperature of 3,000 Kelvin and thus reduce the problem of light pollution. This measure ensures that the environmental impact of artificial lighting is minimized. An additional environmental office accompanies the conversion and carries out studies on the impact on insects and local biodiversity, which illustrates ÖBB's integrative approach to environmental protection, as [presse-oebb.at] notes.

Sustainable maintenance measures

The conversion is part of complex maintenance measures carried out in the region with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Since 2021, 80 switches have already been replaced, and a further 22 are planned by 2027. These new switches not only offer increased safety and reliability, but also improve the efficiency of overall rail traffic. The lighting in the entry and exit groups has already been modernized, while the exit group will be upgraded between 2026 and 2028. The old lighting systems are also scheduled to be dismantled by the end of 2028.

With these measures, ÖBB is pursuing a patient and careful approach that combines modern rail infrastructure management with a deep respect for the environment. The company shows that even large infrastructure projects can be in harmony with nature. With all of these efforts, ÖBB is breaking new ground and inviting other companies to take similar steps to achieve the hoped-for climate neutrality.

Ultimately, this initiative not only contributes to improving local environmental conditions, but also highlights the trend towards sustainable mobility, which is becoming increasingly important throughout the industry. This is adopted as part of a broader climate protection plan that aims to make all mobility in Austria and beyond sustainable. Initiatives such as these are crucial to driving change towards a more environmentally conscious society and provide a positive stimulus for future development in the transport sector.

The challenges are great, but with a clear plan and the commitment shown by ÖBB, it can be possible to make concrete progress towards climate neutrality.