Raaberbahn
A Hungarian–Austrian railway company operating passenger and freight services across western Hungary and eastern Austria.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Raaberbahn, also known by its Hungarian acronym GYSEV, is a binational railway company headquartered in Sopron, Hungary. Its Hungarian name, Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurti Vasút, refers to the historic railway corridor linking Győr and Sopron in Hungary with Ebenfurth in Lower Austria. The company operates railway infrastructure, passenger services, and freight transport in both Hungary and Austria, with some cross-border services extending toward Slovakia. The enterprise was established in 1872 at the initiative of Baron Viktor Erlanger. Its early financing was connected with Franco-Hungarian and Franco-Austrian banking interests, and control shifted within the Erlanger banking network after financial difficulties affected the original backers. The first major section, between Győr and Sopron, opened on 2 January 1876. The extension from Sopron to Ebenfurth entered service on 28 October 1879, creating the cross-border route that remains central to the company’s identity. A related Fertővidék local railway began operating in 1897. Raaberbahn’s unusual legal and operating structure survived the dissolution of Austria-Hungary. The Treaty of Trianon preserved the company as a special cross-border railway, independent from Hungary’s MÁV railway system and able to retain operations in both successor states. Ownership has remained state-centered. Historical descriptions identify a Hungarian majority and Austrian minority, with the contemporary structure generally reported as approximately 75% Hungary and 25% Austria. A private minority holding associated with Strabag was reported to have existed until October 2024. The company’s network developed from a regional railway into a broader western Hungarian operating system. It took over the Sopron–Szombathely line from MÁV in 2001, followed by electrification and infrastructure improvements. In 2006 it assumed responsibility for the Szombathely–Szentgotthárd route, which was subsequently renovated and electrified. From October 2011, following a decision by Hungary’s Ministry of National Development, GYSEV also assumed public passenger transport operations on a group of lines serving the northwestern and western parts of Hungary. This expanded its operating area by roughly 214 kilometres and made Szombathely its largest station by network role. Modernization has focused on electrification, rolling-stock renewal, and cross-border connectivity. The Győr–Sopron route was electrified in 1987, replacing earlier diesel traction with electric locomotives. Stadler FLIRT electric multiple units entered passenger service on the Sopron–Szombathely–Szentgotthárd corridor in 2013, while Siemens Desiro ML trains were introduced from 2016 on services linking Vienna with Sopron, Deutschkreutz, Pamhagen, and Neusiedl am See. Further FLIRT acquisitions expanded the fleet between 2018 and 2019. The company also ordered multisystem and dual-mode Vectron locomotives to support more flexible freight and cross-border operations. Raaberbahn’s current identity combines regional public transport with international rail logistics. It operates six principal railway lines in two countries, carries passengers under a European Economic Area licence, and provides freight services across Europe. Its route portfolio includes the Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurth main line, the Neusiedler Seebahn, lines around Szombathely, the Hegyeshalom–Rajka connection, and the Széchenyi Museum Railway near Nagycenk. The company also participates in cross-border passenger operations toward Bratislava. In 2008, the German brand name was changed from Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurther Eisenbahn to Raaberbahn, while GYSEV remains the principal Hungarian designation.
History
Raaberbahn was founded in 1872 at the instigation of Baron Viktor Erlanger to develop a railway linking western Hungary with the Austrian railway system. Financial problems among the original Franco-Hungarian banking backers led to a transfer of control within the Erlanger banking network by 1875. The Győr–Sopron section opened on 2 January 1876, followed by the Sopron–Ebenfurth section on 28 October 1879. A connected Fertővidék local railway began operations in 1897. The company’s cross-border character became especially significant after the end of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Unlike many railway assets divided between successor states, this railway retained a special independent status and continued operating in both Hungary and Austria under arrangements preserved by the Treaty of Trianon. It remained separate from MÁV while serving an area divided by the new international border. The twentieth century included both operational development and serious accidents. On 30 June 1942, a collision on the Fertővidék Local Railway near Vönöck killed four people and injured 80. On 15 November 1973, the Cyclamen Express collided with a freight train near Fertőboz after a signalling and braking failure sequence; 23 people were injured, six seriously. The Fertőszentmiklós–Celldömölk section of the local railway ceased operation in 1979. Electrification and fleet renewal became important in the later twentieth century. Electrification of the Győr–Sopron line was completed in 1987, enabling the introduction of V43 electric locomotives in place of earlier M41 diesel locomotives. Network expansion accelerated after GYSEV took over the Sopron–Szombathely line from MÁV in 2001. Investment and electrification followed, and the Szombathely–Szentgotthárd line was added in 2006 before being renovated and electrified between 2009 and 2011. A major administrative expansion occurred in 2011, when GYSEV assumed public passenger transport operations on a group of routes around Rajka, Hegyeshalom, Csorna, Szombathely, Kőszeg, Zalaszentiván, and the then-operating Körmend–Zalalövő route. The transfer added approximately 214 kilometres and enlarged the company’s role in western Hungarian public transport. From 2013 onward, modern electric multiple units and locomotives reshaped the fleet. Stadler FLIRT trains entered service on the Sopron–Szombathely–Szentgotthárd corridor in December 2013. Five Siemens Desiro ML trains were ordered in 2014 and introduced from 2016 on services connecting Vienna with Sopron and parts of Burgenland. An additional ten FLIRT trainsets were ordered in 2016 and delivered between 2018 and early 2019. In 2017, the company announced the purchase of Vectron locomotives with different power and electrical-system capabilities, strengthening its ability to handle international passenger and freight traffic. The brand name also evolved. Until 2008, the German designation was Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurther Eisenbahn, abbreviated ROeEE. It was then changed to Raaberbahn, while the Hungarian name GYSEV remained widely used. Today the company operates passenger services and infrastructure in Hungary and Austria, handles rail freight across Europe, maintains several main and branch lines, and supports cross-border connections including services toward Bratislava. Its portfolio also includes the narrow-gauge Széchenyi Museum Railway near Nagycenk.
- 2017
Bratislava passenger connection resumes
[1]Passenger service via Rajka and Rusovce to Bratislava resumed.
- 2013
FLIRT trains enter service
[1]Stadler FLIRT trains began operating on the Sopron–Szombathely–Szentgotthárd corridor.
- 2011
Passenger operating area expands
[1]GYSEV assumed public passenger operations on additional western Hungarian routes.
- 2008
German brand name changes to Raaberbahn
[1]The former Raab-Oedenburg-Ebenfurther Eisenbahn designation was replaced by Raaberbahn.
- 2006
Szombathely–Szentgotthárd line added
[1]The company expanded its network by taking over this route.
- 2001
Sopron–Szombathely line transferred from MÁV
[1]GYSEV took over operation of the line and began a programme of infrastructure investment.
- 1987
Győr–Sopron electrification completed
[1]Electrification was completed and V43 electric locomotives replaced earlier diesel traction.
- 1897
Fertővidék Local Railway begins operation
[1]The associated local railway began operating on 19 December.
- 1879
Sopron–Ebenfurth extension opens
[1]The cross-border extension to Ebenfurth entered service on 28 October.
- 1876
Győr–Sopron line opens
[1]The first principal section began operation on 2 January.
Products and positioning
A state-owned, cross-border regional railway combining public passenger transport, railway infrastructure management, and international freight logistics in the Hungary–Austria border region.
Passenger transport · 1876
Regional passenger rail
Raaberbahn operates regional passenger services in western Hungary and eastern Austria. Its passenger network includes the historic Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurth corridor, routes around Szombathely, services toward Szentgotthárd, and connections serving Burgenland. The network supports commuting, regional mobility, and cross-border travel.
Passenger transport
Cross-border rail services
The company operates international passenger services connecting Hungary and Austria and, on selected routes, Slovakia. Services have included Vienna–Sopron–Deutschkreutz, Vienna–Pamhagen, Neusiedl-area connections, and the Hegyeshalom–Rajka–Rusovce–Bratislava route.
Logistics
Rail freight
Under its European Economic Area operating permissions, Raaberbahn carries freight by rail across Europe. Its cross-border infrastructure, locomotive fleet, and position between Hungarian and Austrian networks support international logistics as well as regional freight movements.
Heritage railway · 1972
Széchenyi Museum Railway
Raaberbahn operates the narrow-gauge Széchenyi Museum Railway near Nagycenk in Hungary. The line is a heritage and visitor-oriented railway rather than a core intercity or freight route.
Brand decisions
2017
Vectron locomotive acquisitionProduct launchBackground
The company needed more flexible traction for passenger and international freight operations.
Action taken
GYSEV announced the purchase of dual-powered and multisystem Vectron locomotives, with additional units available as options.
Aftermath
The new locomotives strengthened the fleet’s ability to operate across different electrification systems and routes.
2016
Additional FLIRT fleet orderProduct launchBackground
Growing passenger operations required additional electric multiple units.
Action taken
GYSEV announced an order for ten three-carriage Stadler FLIRT trains.
Aftermath
The units were delivered progressively from March 2018 through January 2019.
2014
Order for Siemens Desiro ML trainsProduct launchBackground
Fleet renewal was required to support modern regional and cross-border passenger services.
Action taken
The company contracted for five Siemens Desiro ML multiple units.
Aftermath
The trains entered service from 2016 on routes linking Vienna, Sopron, and Burgenland.
Contract value. (2014)
2011
Expansion of public passenger operationsStrategyBackground
The Hungarian Ministry of National Development reassigned passenger transport operations on several western Hungarian routes.
Action taken
GYSEV assumed operation of the specified services and Szombathely station from October 2011.
Aftermath
The operating area grew by approximately 214 kilometres, making Szombathely the company’s largest station.
2001
Takeover of the Sopron–Szombathely railwayStrategyBackground
The company sought to expand its operating role beyond its historic core corridor.
Action taken
GYSEV took over operation of the Sopron–Szombathely line from MÁV and began infrastructure improvement and electrification work.
Aftermath
The takeover established the basis for further expansion across western Hungary.
Recent events
- 2018
Raaberbahn receives additional FLIRT trainsets[1]
Product launch · Product generation
A further order for ten three-carriage FLIRT trains was delivered progressively, with the first unit arriving in 2018 and the tenth reported delivered by January 2019.
- 2017
Cross-border passenger service resumes toward Bratislava[1]
Other
Passenger rail traffic between the Hungarian–Slovak border at Rajka and Bratislava resumed, with GYSEV operating the Hegyeshalom–Rajka–Rusovce–Bratislava connection.
- 2014
Raaberbahn orders Siemens Desiro ML trainsets[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company contracted for five Siemens Desiro ML multiple units for cross-border and regional services in the Vienna–Sopron–Burgenland area.
- 2013
Stadler FLIRT trains enter service on the Sopron–Szombathely–Szentgotthárd route[1]
Product launch · Product generation
New FLIRT electric multiple units entered regular passenger service, supporting the modernization of the company’s western Hungarian network.
- 2011
Raaberbahn expands passenger operations in western Hungary[1]
Other
GYSEV assumed public passenger transport operations on several additional Hungarian routes, extending its network by approximately 214 kilometres and making Szombathely its largest station by operating significance.
Sources2 sources
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