Railways and National Socialism in Austria: War and Its Aftermath. A New Beginning.

In 2012, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) began to confront and examine their history during the years 1938–1945. The company took a pioneering approach: not only historians were involved, but also employees and apprentices from within the organization contributed to the process.

The shared findings ultimately led to the creation of the exhibition “Repressed Years: Railways and National Socialism in Austria 1938–1945.” It documents the impact of National Socialism on the railway operations and its employees during the Second World War. The exhibition then guides visitors into the post-war years, outlining the economic and cultural resurgence of the railway after 1945.

Following stops at the Carinthian State Museum, the European Parliament, Tel Aviv University, and the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial, the complete exhibition on the company’s own history is now permanently on display at the ÖBB Education Center in St. Pölten/Wörth.

The core content of this exhibition is now being presented by the House of Austrian History (hdgö) in cooperation with the ÖBB on a series of display panels. From July 1 to October 1, 2020, these panels will be on view in the foyer of the museum. A focused overview guides visitors through the history of the ÖBB during the Second World War and highlights the importance of the railway in Austria’s reconstruction after 1945.

With the kind support of: