THE 21.2km-long Feldbach to Bad Gleichenberg line, east of Graz, in south-eastern Austria, is closing in December 2020.
The line is owned and operated by regional rail operator Steiermärkische Landesbahnen (STLB) and has used 1,800V DC electrification since it opened in 1931.
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The two single-car EMUs used to operate services are the original vehicles, albeit heavily modernised over the subsequent nearly 80 years in use.
Replacement of the trains would be expensive as would conversion of the electrification to the Austrian standard of 15kV AC, so it seems closure has been chosen as passenger numbers are low.
However, it is planned to retain the line for freight and some summer heritage services may be operated from 2021.
It is not clear if the electrification will be retained.
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