The Club 598 – Friends of the Ybbstal Railway has been passionately committed to preserving the historic narrow-gauge railway in Lower Austria's Ybbstal Valley since 1973. Its core is the faithfully reproduced ÖBB Class 598 steam locomotives, two rare examples of which date back to 1896 and have survived to this day. The Waidhofen-based association works with volunteerism and enthusiasm to restore these technical monuments and ensure their operational readiness.
(c) Club 598 Friends of the Ybbstalbahn
(c) Club 598 Friends of the Ybbstalbahn
Museum railway & active railway experiences!
The club operates a museum workshop in Waidhofen/Ybbs and the mountain line (Lunz am See to Kienberg–Gaming) as a heritage railway with special tours – both with steam and diesel trains. In addition to operating trains, Club 598 is responsible for maintaining the track and preserving listed buildings along the line, including viaducts, bridges, the station, and the locomotive shed.
Sustainable mobility & regional identity
Club 598 sees itself not only as a heritage railway, but also as a driving force for sustainable transport and regional tourism. They are committed to rebuilding the entire line to Ybbsitz and call for a meaningful integration of the railway and cycle path – as a contribution to climate protection and as a living cultural heritage. With almost 500 members, the association is a key community for technological history and a sense of community.
(c) Club 598 Friends of the Ybbstalbahn
address
Höhenstraße 49
3340 Waidhofen an der Ybbs
phone
+43 7442 55 463