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Written by Cosmo Graham - 28 Feb 2018
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Location notes
The Falkensteinbr�cke, near the small village of Oberfalkenstein in Austria's Carinthia (K�rnten) region, is on the Tauernbahn - one of the main Transalpine rail links between the North Sea & the Mediterranean.
396 metres long, and ascending a northbound gradient of 1 in 36.2 (2.76%), it is the Tauenbahn's longest bridge
Niederfalkenstein Castle (Schloss Niederfalkenstein) is situated below, in the valley.
Railway type and traffic
Traffic on the line is fairly varied. InterCity & EuroCity services use the viaduct, with DB using BR 101s and �BB using Tauri (1016s/1116s/1216s). �BB's "Railjet" services also operate on the route, mainly running between Salzburg & Villach/Klagenfurt.
Local �BB services, usually formed of Rh 1144s & CityShuttle coaches or Rh 4024 "Talent" EMUs, cross the viaduct around twice a day each way.
Transalpine freight is big here, with electric locos from various leasing co's leased to various freight operators using the line every day, alongside Rail Cargo Austria (�BB's freight arm) services.
Environment
The location mentioned is on an outcrop overlooking the viaduct, sloping towards a sheer precipice. To access it, you will need to leave the main mountain route, and fight your way through undergrowth.
The point to turn off is a meadow, steeply graded, below the track just after the station.
Another location can be found if you follow the road down towards the outcrop of houses below the viaduct to the east; this affords a shot of traffic running sideways over the bridge.
Road directions
The road up to the site is a narrow mountain track, accessible by most cars. Its entrance can be found off the M�lltal Stra�e (Road 106).

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Falkensteinbr�cke map co-ordinates
Parking
As mentioned above, most cars can access the route; a gate may sometimes be in position. If the gate is down, parking your car in a secure spot should be fine.
Public transport
Oberfalkenstein is the nearest station on the route; its services are fairly sparse. The majority of the passengers using the station are school students, so the trains stop only during weekdays and Saturdays in the early morning and early evening.

Currently (2018) the trains serving the station are:
Southbound:
  • R 4933 (0647 dep. Mallnitz-Obervellach, 0717 arr. Spittal-Millst�ttersee)
  • R 4939 (1800 dep. Mallnitz-Obervellach, 1830 arr. Spittal-Millst�ttersee)

    Northbound:
  • S1/R 4930 (0529 dep. Villach Hbf, 0633 arr. Mallnitz-Obervellach)
  • R 4936 (1524 dep. Lienz, 1714 arr. Mallnitz-Obervellach)

    A bus also runs on the M�lltal Stra�e, but they won't go up the mountainside!

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  • Amenities
    Amenities are fairly sparse. If planning an extended stay here, it's best to buy food and drink in advance.
    In high summer, small bugs and insects can be found everywhere, so packing insect repellent and sun cream would be highly advisable.
    Accommodation
    Two hotels are near the location.
    The Gasthaus zur Burg Falkenstein is ideal if you want to make a stay of the location.
    The slightly pricier Erlibnis Hotel is slightly more authentic, and is a bit further up the mountainside.
    Sun Compass
    Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
    It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
    Falkensteinbr�cke

    Googly map
    Streetmap links
    Falkensteinbr�cke general view map
    Falkensteinbr�cke close up map

    Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
    Falkensteinbr�cke



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    Photographic notes
    Since this is a south-east facing shot, you will want to get there for the afternoon if it is a sunny day. If you want to shoot trains heading SE rather than NW, you should head to the bridge above the station and shoot from there.
    Links to photographs at this location

    Facing SW from the village mentioned above
    Like the fig1, but with morning fog in the valley.


    General views - All photographs © Cosmo Graham unless otherwise stated
    Fig 1 - Looking south east

    
Fig 1 - Looking south east

    Facing south east with Schloss Niederfalkenstein in the background and the valley below

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