Austrian rail operator ÖBB and the European Commission presented a special locomotive decorated in the colors of the European Union at Vienna Central Station, under the motto “Zugkraft für Europa” (Traction for Europe).

The locomotive will run in the coming period as a symbol of European investment in rail infrastructure, according to the event organizers.

The inauguration ceremony took place at Vienna Central Station, in the presence of Austrian Minister for Europe Claudia Bauer, Head of the European Commission Representation in Austria Patrick Lobis, and Sabine Stock, member of the management board of Austrian railway operator ÖBB.

According to the organizers, the locomotive highlights the role of European funding in the development of transport infrastructure in Austria and other member states.

One example is the Koralm railway line, one of the most important railway projects in Austria, partly financed by European funds. The new infrastructure will reduce the travel time between Graz and Klagenfurt to approximately 41 minutes.

“This locomotive shows that Europe does not start in Brussels, but where people live, work, and travel. Joint investments in infrastructure connect regions and strengthen the economy,” said Claudia Bauer, Austrian Minister for Europe.

According to a study by Oxford Economics, the rail sector contributes around EUR 247 billion to the European Union’s economy and supports over 3 million jobs.

The analysis also shows that every EUR 1 generated directly by the rail sector produces an average of EUR 2.7 in other areas of the economy.

In addition, rail transport is considered one of the most energy-efficient and carbon-efficient forms of mobility.

The locomotive decorated in the EU colors will run on the ÖBB network in the coming period, promoting the role of European investments in the development of rail transport.