The lower part of the journey starts with the Reisseck funicular, 3576 metres long, climbing at angles between 25% and 82%. The Reisseck funicular operates in three stages, and passengers must change cars ( built Waagner Biro, Wien) at each stage to continue the journey, which takes a minimum of 30 minutes, climbing 1,517 metres in the process. Started in 1949, the funicular was opened in three stages - to Schütters in March 1950, to Trog in June 1953, and to Schoberboden in March 1954.

The lowest station, Zandlach, is under the Tauernbahn, approximately 200 m west of the ÖBB station at Kolbnitz. At quiet periods tickets are sold from the restaurant - and the return journey must be specified when booking the outward journey. The single line, 1185 metres long, with it's single funicular vehicle, climbs under the main railway, and then straight up the mountainside, following a pair of pipes - for the lines' original purpose was to ferry goods and workers up to the hydro-electric power scheme high in the Reisseck mountains.

The first intermediate station, Schütter, stands below the power house for the lower section - a large white house which can be seen for considerable distances.At Schütter, there is a link between the two sections, which can be used to transfer cars down the mountain for maintenance. The second section, from Schütters to Trog, is also the longest, 1260 metres. At two points in the journey, the line passes under metal structures across the track, used to prevent the cable rising too far above the ground.

At Trog another cross over is available to transfer cars from one section to another. Goods are carried on an open platform at the upper end of each car, and transferred at each station by a small crane sitting at the upper end of each platform.The line from Trog climbs 495 metres in a rail length of 1130 metres, to the top station.

During the journey the vegetation changes, from the mixed deciduous wood near the valley floor all the way to Alpine meadows at higher altitudes. At the upper end of the funicular is Schoberboden( 2237m), with views down the valley of the Rive Möll, and across to Lurnfeld. Total journey time is 30 minutes, the funiculars travelling at a maximum speed of 11 m/s.

From Schorberboden, a narrow-gauge railway, the Höhenbahn, climbs for 3.3 km to the restaurant and hotel at the top. Built in 1948 to ferry goods in connection with the building of the hydro electric scheme by Draukraft of Klagenfurt, the line opened to the public - before the top section of the funicular - in 1953.

The Höhenbahn

The line, with a 60 cm gauge, runs along a ledge, then through a 2.2 km-long tunnel to the top station, the Seenplateau (2245m). There are passing loops at both ends of the line, and also in the tunnel, where there is also a short maintenance siding. The hydro-electric pipes also go through the tunnel. From the mountain above thetop station (built underneath the hotel) it is possible to see a unique panoramic view - all the way round from the Italian Alps to the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain.

The line possesses a number of similar locomotives, all built by Jenbacherwerke AG. Number 2240, built in 1960, has a snow blade at its' lower end, and a snow-blower and broom at the upper end. Number 327 404 is used as the main train locomotive. Built in 1993 the loco is sandwiched between two coaches, both of which have driving positions. Goods for the hotel are carried on a flat extension, attached to the coach number 1, at the lower end of the train. A crane at the top of the funicular is used to transfer goods between the modes of transport. In case of problems with a coach, or at busy periods, an open toast-rack vehicle is stored at the lower station, whilst a second one, nomianlly out of use, is stored at the depot near the hotel, at the upper end of the line.

Whilst the public railway ends here, the line itself does not. Below the hotel, another line connects with the Höhenbahn, and is used to carry goods up to a second plateau, and thens along the plateau for about 2km. Where the line comes onto the plateau, there is a second goods line, which enters a tunnel and climbs through the mountain to a higher level. Items are hauled up the connection using a winch, and onto the other narrow gauge railway network. It seems to be privately owned and is used for the maintenance of the pipelines which link the three dams (Hochalmsee and Höhersee to the Grossmülldorfsee).

As may be expected, fares on this awe-inspiring but difficult railway are quite high.