Austrian Mint - silver coin Electric Train June 17 From Steam Engines to Electric Power
The Advent of the Electric Train 5. June 2009

The fifth coin of the “Austrian Railways” silver coin series will officially be launched on June 17th.

The obverse of the new 20 Euro proof silver coin shows an electric engine model 1189 (nicknamed a “Crocodile”) emerging from the western exit of the Arlberg tunnel, in the western area of the Austrian Alps. The 14 kilometre long modern Arlberg tunnel is a tribute to Austrian tunnel engineering, that was opened in 1978. This side of the coin also displays the country of issue “Republik Oesterreich”, the face value of 20 euros and the year of issue 2009.

The reverse has one of the loveliest alpine railway scenes as its design: the spectacular Trisanna Bridge on the Arlberg line with Wiesburg Castle and the mountains in the background. A passenger train pulled by the electric engine model 1100 is crossing the 231 meter long bridge, which at its opening in 1884 ranked as the longest arched steel railway bridge of its time, in the world.

The first electric train in Austria was a small locomotive circling in the great exhibition pavilion in the Prater on the occasion of the Emperor Franz Joseph’s 50th birthday. What began as a fairground attraction in 1880 in the Vienna Prater rapidly became the most revolutionary step in transportation since the harnessing of steam almost a century before.

Emperor Franz Joseph two years later in 1882, authorized the building of the first public electric railway. It used direct current and was a five kilometre long stretch carrying day-trippers from the country town of Mödling into the popular Brühl valley, just outside of Vienna. Other short branch lines soon followed. The introduction of alternating current proved the most reliable for longer railway lines, and in 1911 electric engines using alternating current were put into service on the 90 kilometre stretch to the pilgrimage centre of Mariazell. These engines were to set the trend for future development and in 1913 an agreement between Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway stipulated the use of alternating current of 15,000 volts. Unfortunately, other railways authorities did not follow suit and today Europe still has no unified electric rail transport.

The First World War interrupted further progress. The new Austrian Republic found the problem of coal supplies for steam engines almost insurmountable and turned to an old imperial study on electrification of the railways. In the 1920’s the alpine lines of the Arlberg railway and the Salzkammergut railway were converted. Electric power improved not only the performance on steep inclines but also freed staff and passengers from unpleasant smoke concentrations, as well as acid rain in tunnels.

New engines were developed. One such was the model 1100 which, because the engine was articulated at both ends with a high cab in the middle and green in colour, was dubbed the “Crocodile”. The articulation allowed this engine type to negotiate tight mountain curves better. The cab in the middle was were the crew and transformer were located.

Electrification went on until 1940 when the Second World War again brought it to a standstill. The conversion of the major lines was completed in the 1950’s. By 1988 only 54% of Austrian lines were electric, but those lines carried 92% of the passenger and freight transport. The era of steam-driven locomotives was at an end.

Each silver coin has a face value of 20 euros, is struck in proof quality only and a maximum mintage of 50,000 pieces. The coins are struck in 900 fine silver and contain 18 grams of pure silver. Each coin has a diameter of 34 mm, is encapsulated and comes in box with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.

A wooden case for the whole collection, decorated on the top with a technical-style drawing of an early locomotive and its coal tender, reproduced on a silver-grey metal plaque, is available separately for purchase.

Collectors in the United States and Canada may purchase the Electric Railway coin for $64.50 USD each by calling Euro Collections International toll-free at 1-877-897-7696. The coin may also be ordered on-line at www.eurocollections.com

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