The Austrian Federal Railways and formerly the Bundesbahnen Österreich or BBÖ), now commonly known as ÖBB, is the national railway company of Austria. It also runs Liechtenstein's railway. The ÖBB group is owned entirely by the Republic of Austria. It is divided into several separate businesses that manage the infrastructure and operate passenger and cargo services.
The Austrian Federal Railways was first formed in 1923, using the Bundesbahn Österreich name, as a successor to the Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways. It was incorporated into the Deutsche Reichsbahn during the 1938–1945 Anschluss. It was reformed in 1947, under the slightly different name Österreichische Bundesbahnen, and still uses this name.
The Austrian rail system is mostly electrified. Electrification began in 1912 but did not reach an advanced state until the 1950s. The last steam locomotive in regular service on the standard gauge network was retired in 1978.
Unlike other major railway companies in Europe that offer more flexiblecancellation policies, ÖBB only offers two types of tickets: full-price tickets, and cheaper but non-exchangeable and non-refundable tickets.
