In General
Getting Here
Map
Sights
Pictures
Physical Plant
Signals
Bridges
Postcards
Floobydust
RAILROAD SIGNALS HOME
Location / Name:
Graz, Styria, Austria
What's Here:
Tram System - 7 Routes
Tramway Museum Graz
Graz Hauptbahnhof, the central train station in Graz
The "Graz funicular" / Schlossbergbahn
Data:
GPS Coordinates/as needed
Access by train/transit:
Köflach railway line
Koralm railway line
Southern railway line
Styrian Eastern railway line [de]
Graz Tram System
Geography:
Very Hilly
The Scoop:
Graz has a variety of rail services available to the traveler. Because of this, this railfan guide to Graz is split into two parts. This page will cover the Tram System in Graz along with the Funicular and other cool sights in town. The second page of the railfan guide to Graz will cover the railroads. Both pages are available in German and English.
The city of Graz has a extensive Tram system with seven lines, operated by HOLDING GRAZ. The system dates back to 1887, which is detailed at: graz.zeitlinie.at, an awesome effort by the creator of that page!
From the
side of a bus.Here is a list of the lines, and their end destinations:
In the inner city center, the tram is free between Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz plus an additional stop in both directions, e.g. to the Schlossbergplatz or to the Kunsthaus. Just look out for the Altstadt Bim (Old Town Tram) stickers at the tram stops. (1)
Here is a very interesting page that shows the Tram System over the years:
https://heussler.zenfolio.com/strassenbahn-graz-netzplaene
At the end of line 1, is the Tramway Museum Graz. They have a comprehensive collection of the Trams used in Graz over the years. And in looking at the pictures on the page below, they take them out onto the system for excursions.
https://heussler.zenfolio.com/p32109582
You will find many signs and -stores- in English as you travel around in Graz! Even graffiti is in English! I'm sorry we have imported the likes of McDs and BK to Austria! :-(
Acknowledgements:
Omvro, without whose help, this page would not be possible!
I Love Graz.com (1)
Eigenes Werk
Jean François Riemer
Jacktd
Penguin9
esejapan
Google Maps
Open Railway Map
Open Street Map
Wikipedia
Websites and other additional information sources of interest for the area:
https://graz.zeitlinie.at/en/ Cool website showing the growth of the Tram System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Graz
https://heussler.zenfolio.com/strassenbahn_graz Comprehensive picture page of the Graz Tram System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Austria the Rail System of Austria
https://ilovegraz.com/2019/05/19/public-transportation-graz/ (1) Good informative site with tips about traveling around Graz, in English
https://guias-viajar.com/en/Europe/tourism-in-austria/thanks-what-to-see-do/ (2)
Getting to G
Above is a complete system map of public transportation in Graz
Available here as a PDF.
Sights
Jakominiplatz - Major Tram Plaza
Tram Shops
Tramway Museum Graz
the Graz Funicular
JakominiplatzGPS Coordinates: 47.06724, 15.44195
Huge plaza and interchange between all 7 routes, with route 23 ending/starting here. The 23 line loop with the green arrows is not part of the plaza, instead, it goes around a building. I betcha there are non-stop trams here! The blue arrows are dedicated bus platforms. For all you fast-food junkies (like myself), there is a BK and McDonalds here :-) Travel between Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz is free, plus one additional stop (as shown above).
The plaza is not called "the Jakominiplatz", just Jakominiplatz will suffice. Locals will refer to it as just "Jako", and many older residents will call it "Jackson Square", a term that crept in one English started being used more than not.
"A" and "B" are looking in opposite directions in Google Streetview.
the Tram ShopsGPS Coordinates: 47.07127, 15.41009
Google Maps caught this Tram in front of the shops.
Tramway Museum Graz
GPS Coordinates: 47.10563, 15.48903
Mariatroster Str. 204, 8044 Graz, Austria
+433168874226
https://www.tramway-museum-graz.at/
The Tramway Museum has about 30 cars in its collection. It is located at the end of the #1 route.
the Graz FunicularGPS Coordinates:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlossbergbahn_%28Graz%29
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graz_funicular_1.jpg
https://structurae.net/de/medien/173591-schlossbergbahngraz
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/yuya-matsuo-on-instagram-cable-cars-schlossberg-graz-austria--176907091601064117/
(L) Photo by: Penguin9, (R) Photo by: Jean François Riemer
1st generation Funicular (L), 2nd generation Funicular (R) at the Tramway Museum. (photo: Jacktd)
the Clock TowerGPS Coordinates: 47.07352, 15.43775
The Graz Clock Tower (Uhrturm) overlooks Graz. At the foot of the tower you have a beautiful and flowery garden. This entire area has a great viewpoint to see the best and most spectacular panoramic views of the historic center of Graz.
A few pictures to get this section started:
Pix from (2)
Tram Tunnel Under the Central Train StationGPS Coordinates: 47.07177, 15.41779
The
Signals / Straßenbahnsignal
Note to English speakers - Straßenbahnsignal is Tram Signals,
Zugsignal is for train signals.
The tram signals in and around JakominiplatzGPS Coordinates: 47.06713, 15.44194
Following is Omvro's description of the signals at Jakominiplatz, and how they interact with switches and selecting a route.
The Tram operator will first take note of the W sign, indicating a switch is coming up soon. The "W" stands for "Weiche" (switch).
The operator will check if the automated routing system of the tram is working as intended. They will then proceed and note the "W" on the ground, where they'll observe/check the switch signal for the correct switch-positions (you can see the signal to the left of the side of the building, it shows an arrow), if the switch is set wrong and doesn't change automatically, the driver tries to engage the switch manually using the trams transmitter.
If a tram is going over the switch before the driver's tram, the driver must stop the tram before the white dot on the ground. which is the position the switch will lock itself in place. If the route is set the wrong way beyond this point, the driver has to get out and manually change the switch.
A switch signal has three positions: 1) Two arrows going either forward or left/right, and 2) An "X" light indicating to the driver that the switch is changing positions and unsecured to pass over. I'll explain the upside down "V" light later.
Generally, a switch is meant to be crossed at a maximum speed of 20kph (~13mph).
This particular switch is quite interesting as it starts waaayyy before the two tracks diverge from each other, as the place that typically (and historically) would be is on a busy road for vehicular traffic, which wears a lot on the fragile moving switchpoints. This picture shows the distance between switch and divergence quite well, it's nearly 60m (200ft) apart. The two sets of tracks running parallel to each like this other is called a gauntlet track.
Above, the signal is indicating the tram will be taking the diverging route to the right.
Above, the signal is indicating the tram will be going straight instead of taking the diverging route.
Power feed.
Power feed connections to the overhead wire/cantenary.
Overhead wire anchors, and the signs?
Signs for ?
Building anchors.
Double wire hangers.
Single wire hanger.
Signals for the tram, now, what is each one for?Gauntlet Track
Gauntlet track is not very common. This special type of track is used for a variety of reasons, but none of the ones listed below fit this particular application on Jakoministraße, just off of the Jakominiplatz. I'm guessing the signal seen in the one picture let's the operator know if he is going straight or taking the Gauntlet Track.
My guess for the Gauntlet Track: There is a Tram Stop after the blue/red sign, where the curb goes in a little bit. So, if there is a tram at the station, the Gauntlet Track allows a following tram to go around the one that is stopped... just a guess.
Close-up of the track.
For all of you familiar with ALDI's here in the states.....
German Signs for Americans and English Speakers
ONE WAY Signs.
This one is found -kinda- in front of the train station.
-- PARKING Signs.
Indicating no parking times and on what days.
These two (of three) zones are along Radetzkystraße, about a block from the Jakominiplatz.
Anfang = Beginning. Ende = End. Werktags = Working Days (Days and hours the restriction is in effect). Remember, times in Europe are in the 24Hr format!
More from Omvro: The one lined sign allows for "stopping" your vehicle for up to 10 minutes (or during loading activities)... it forbids parking though, so if I were a tourist, I'd generally steer clear of areas with these signs, especially if there's a board underneath that I didn't understand (I referring to a non-German speaking visitor).
Austrian law does not allow for parking in front of driveways. These two signs together, in this order, have the meaning "the zone" where the zone is interrupted by a driveway (driveways in the picture below are denoted by the curved green arrows). In the picture below, I have "zone" labeled as "Parking Zone".
Stopping ONLY for up to 10 minutes for loading - No parking.
-- DO NOT ENTER sign.
-- STOP sign. This one is easy :-)
Screenshot of the Zeitlinie Gratz website. LOTS of effort went into creating this page!!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_alphabet
Here is an interesting little tidbit of info on German:
For you English and other non-speaking German visitors, here is a little help on one of the few letters that gives non-German speaking people trouble: The eszett or scharfes S (ß). You will notice below, that on the map of the tram system, it uses "ss" instead of ß, which was taken in 2019 by Google's Streetview cameras. If you want to dive deeper, check out the Wikipedia link above.
Another interesting note: I went to school systems in Towson MD, Tyler TX, Batavia NY, and New Rochelle NY. Out of the four, the only one that taught German was in Batavia NY. Of course, that was back in the 1960's, so that has probably changed :-)
Disclaimers:
New format 10/26/23: Please check out my disclaimer page for my standard dribble and contact info here
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