AUSTRIA - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 50

Even if the weather is good when you leave Vienna, the climate of the Alps var-
ies considerably with differences in altitude. Expect some changes in the temper-
ature and visibility while en route. It is not unusual to enter a tunnel with the land-
scape bathed in sunlight only to emerge at the other end into a storm.
Vienna is 580 feet above sea level. Leaving the city, the train moves along the
edge of the Vienna Woods. Before arriving in Bruck, you will get an occasional
glimpse of the Raxalpe Peak (6,630 feet). This steep-sided limestone massif,
due to its proximity to Vienna, has become very popular with city-based mountain
climbers. Here, the train follows the first mountain railway (Semmeringbahn) built
in Europe (1848 to 1854), which runs between Gloggnitz and Murzzuschlag.
From Murzzuschlag to Bruck, the train parallels the Murz River through the last
really mountainous pass leading out of the Alps and on to the broad plains fed
by the Danube. Bruck lies at the confluence of the Mur and the Murz Rivers in
the pleasant setting of the Styrian Alps. After passing Unzmarkt, the peaks of the
Zinken (7,255 feet) and the Greimberg (8,115 feet) Alps are visible. You then ar-
rive in Klagenfurt, 1,472 feet above sea level. Summers here are extremely hot,
for the town lies in a basin shielding it from the moderating effects of the Mediter-
ranean.
Between Klagenfurt and Velden, the train passes along Lake Woerth before ar-
riving in Villach. Leaving Villach and approaching the Tauern Tunnel (5 miles long),
you will be able to view Mount Hochalm (11,020 feet). As you exit the tunnel,
Edelweiss-Spitz (8,453 feet) stands guard on the left while Mount Gamskarspitze
(9,296 feet) looms on the right.
After pausing briefly at Badgastein —the highest en route station, at 2,838 feet
above sea level—the train gradually descends into Schwarzach and parallels the
Salzach River, which flows past Bischofshofen and the city of Salzburg. Your re-
turn train to Vienna arrives at Westbahnhof (West Station).
Day Excursion to
Baden
Baths, Cures, and Casino
Depart from Vienna Meidling Station
Distance by Train: 17 miles (27 km)
Average Train Time: 20 minutes
City Dialing Code: 2252