The first branch line of this trip is the Lokalbahn Peggau-Übelbach. There are hourly S11 services, with two trains continuing to Graz each day. Services are less frequent on Saturdays. There don't seem to be any trains on Sundays! This 10 km long line has ten intermediate stops, most of which are request stops. It almost feels like travelling by bus into a gentle valley on rails. #SteierMarch

Hidden attraction of the Lokalbahn Peggau-Übelbach for inhabitants of Zurich like me and @dominicstucki: The former SZU rolling stock that has been in use here between 1994 or 1996 and 2021. In Übelbach, an abandoned control car is waiting on... nothing? The corresponding former SZU railcar could be seen in the train shed. #SteierMarch

The GKB S6 line runs along the eastern section of the Koralmbahn between Graz and Wettmannstätten. From there, it continues on a branch line to Deutschlandsberg and Wies-Eibiswald. Speaking of Deutschland: The trains are operated using two or three (!) double-deck carriages from DB Gebrauchtzug and black Vectron locomotives. Despite the small number of carriages, the trains observed were used rather poorly. #SteierMarch

Most GKB S6 trains are operated with a control car. Currently, its main purpose is to provide step-free accessibility. At Wies-Eibiswald terminus, the Vectron locomotive has to run round the train. At Graz Hbf, the locomotives are changed. #SteierMarch

Capturing the absurdity of the GKB S6 trains in sunny weather... 😍 #SteierMarch

GKB's other two lines, S61 and S7, use more conventional rolling stock — at least, most of the trains. #SteierMarch

Additional afternoon REX7 trains between Graz and Köflach operate with loco-hauled double-deck coaches from the 1990s. Most of the trains we saw had two coaches, and some had three. There was a mix of old and new livery. #SteierMarch

Another StB line departs from Graz Hbf: the S31 to Weiz. On the main Weizer Bahn line between Gleisdorf and Weiz, there is at least an hourly service from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, there is a two-hourly service. There are no services on Sundays. Between Weiz Bahnhof and Weiz Nord, the S31 trains becomes a tram. #SteierMarch

Not only the manufacturer of the StB Class 5062 DMU (Stadler Gtw) reminds me of home, but also a train that we are rolling past in Graz... 👀 #SteierMarch

It is time for an 🚋 excursion into the town of Graz. As the trams are rather full, the plan is to take some pictures rather than ride on them. #SteierMarch

Due to the lack of operations on many branch lines in Styria and the delayed opening of the Gleichenbergerbahn this year, alternative program must be found: An international Interregio service using SŽ Flirts. I like the blue-white exterior of this train. However, the screens are not optimally configured for the different languages, displaying mainly the Slovenian names for Austrian stations. The sparsely used Sunday lunchtime service takes us across the border to 🇸🇮 Maribor. #SteierMarch

My first time visiting Maribor 😊 I'm surprised by how tranquil this beautiful city of 110,000 inhabitants is on this Sunday afternoon. #SteierMarch

You know my trips, so it is clear that we have to get back to the station soon. A train is awaiting. #SteierMarch

The only 🇸🇮 Maribor - 🇦🇹 Bleiburg/Pliberk #CrossBorderRail weekend service is about to depart! It's a peaceful journey alongside the Drava River, with far more stops than passengers. At many stations, station staff observes the eventless trainstop. Most of the villages are located on the opposite side of the river, which are difficult conditions for the trains. However, there are optimal transfer times to ÖBB trains at Bleiburg/Pliberk, a bilingual town of 4,000 inhabitants. #SteierMarch

Travelling from Bleiburg/Pliberk back to Graz on the Koralmbahn is an experience in itself. The S1 takes us to St. Paul im Lavanttal far away from the small eponymous town, where we can catch the Railjet to Vienna from the same platform. It is my first ride on a Railjet... sorry, Koralmjet with a modernised interior. #SteierMarch

The next morning means it's time for the train back home. After many rides on quirky, short trains, the 'classic' long-distance train is a welcome change. The beloved #Transalpin Graz-Zurich is the last loco-hauled EuroCity train to Switzerland. A nine-and-a-half-hour train ride through the Austrian Alps awaits! 😍
Only drawback: It is operated with fewer second class coaches today again. However, we are lucky enough to sit in a different car. #SteierMarch

As always, the panoramic car on the EuroCity #Transalpin Graz-Zurich offers great views, even in foggy weather. #SteierMarch

Ist das nicht etwas gar offensichtlich? 🤔 #SteierMarch

Of all the #Transalpin 's stops, I find Radstadt the most bizarre. A nine-and-a-half-hour Swiss-Austrian EuroCity train journey through the Alps stops at a station with a level crossing that serves 5,000 people. 😳 #SteierMarch