Wien Nord-Praterstern

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Wien Nord-Praterstern (German for Vienna North-Praterstern) is one of Vienna's main railway stations, being used by 35,000 people daily. It is located on the roundabout Praterstern in Leopoldstadt, in the north of the city. Vienna's two most recognisable structures, the Riesenrad (ferris wheel) and the Stephansdom (cathedral) are both visible from the platforms.

[edit] History

The Nordbahnhof in 1908

The first station was built during the construction of the Nordbahn, it was opened on 6 January 1838 as k.k. Nordbahnhof (Royal and Imperial Northern Station) in the style in which the names of virtually all public works were rendered at the time. Due to rapidly rising passenger numbers, the station became too small very quickly and had to be rebuilt. Between 1858 and 1865, the station building in the vicinity of Praterstern was built. Like all other stations in Vienna at this time, the Northern Sation was planned to be an exhibition building. Several architects were assigned to planning the building, interior decorating was done by sculptors and fresco painters. The station was opened on 15 November 1865. In the days of Austria-Hungary, the station was one of the most significant stations in Europe and Vienna's primary railway stations, connecting Vienna with Brno, Prague and Warsaw. For many immigrants, it was the door to Vienna.

During World War II, the station was severely damaged by bombs and was demolished in the following years. The new building was constructed directly at Praterstern for logistical reasons and was opened on 1 June 1959 as Bahnhof Praterstern. On 1 September 1975, it was renamed Wien Nord.

Currently, the run-down appearing station and its surroundings are often considered to be one of the eyesores of Vienna, as it has attracted both a high number of homeless people as well as a high level of crime.

Wien Nord-Praterstern in 2006

However, the Austrian Federal Railways started a nationwide renovation initiative in 1997, in the course of which this station is to be replaced by a new station, designed by the architect Albert Wimmer, featuring a transparent roof for the station and its platforms. Transferring to the U-Bahn as well as to the trams and busses in front of the station is to become more comfortable and accessible for disabled people. After the reconstruction, the station is to be renamed to Wien Praterstern again.

The new station should offer 6,000 m² of space for businesses and service enterprises. Platforms will be raised to 55 cm above the trackage to make boarding and disembarcation easier. A tactile orientation system is planned for blind people.

The reconstruction started in 2004, the new station is planned to be opened in January 2008. €39 million are committed to the project.

[edit] Reconstruction of the freight station

The area of the freight station, no longer needed by the Austrian Federal Railways, is planned to become a new city district. The part on the Lasallestraße was already developed in the 1990s, almost entirely as office buildings. At first, a new line parallel to these blocks is planned, in steps, the area is to be expanded to the northwest. The tram line O is planned to be extended into this area as well. However, the time horizon of this project lies around 2025.