GYSEV Zrt. launched the preparation of the second track construction and upgrading works on the Hungarian section of the Győr–Sopron–Vienna corridor in 2011.

The purpose of the completed design work is to prepare studies, assessments and design studies required for substantiating the well-foundedness of the project, its acceptance and support by the local authorities as well as Hungary, Austria and the European Union, and to perform related expert and consulting tasks.

Under the project, the railway infrastructure required for managing current and future freight and passenger traffic on the Hungarian section of the Győr–Sopron–Vienna corridor according to the train timetable was identified, with the development required on open line and station sections. The subject-matter of design was, furthermore, an assessment of the possibilities locating a terminal at the Sopron station and in its vicinity, and to take measures required for reducing the area-splitting and noise effects caused by the railway in the territory of the city of Sopron.

Main technical parameters of the proposed upgrading:

• Length of intervention:
• Phase I: Fertőszentmikós (incl.) –Sopron national border: 31.5 km
• Phase II: Csorna (excl.)–Fertőszentmiklós (excl.): 30 km
• Phase III: Győr (incl.)–Csorna (incl.): 31 km
• Design speed: 160 km/h
• Axle load: 225 kN
• Superstructure: on main tracks passing through open lines and stations: new system characterised by 60 kg/linear m
• Platforms: rail head top surface+55 cm high (raised), providing access to the disabled
• Establishment of new electronic signalling systems at the stations
• Establishment of a modern, automated passenger information system

Assessments stated in the feasibility study:

• Construction of a second track and line refurbishment between Győr and Sopron national border on the current route in accordance with the train timetable, involving the redesigning of the track networks of the stations;
• Reduction of the environmental load caused by the railway in the city of Sopron. Assessment of the integration of railway lines currently arriving on four routes into a single railway axis. In order to further minimise conflicts between the railway and roads within the city of Sopron, assessment of the feasibility of the construction of other non-level crossings in addition to the already completed one as well as provision of pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Assessment of noise control issues within the city and identification of passive and active noise control development;
• Assessment of the track network between Harka station and the Passenger Railway Station;
• Assessment of the establishment of a terminal in the area of Harka station;
• Assessment of the measures required for transforming the Sopron passenger railway station into an urban service centre for the alternative of constructing a terminal;
• Assessment of the tracks between the Sopron Passenger Railway Station and the former Déli Railway Station;
• Assessment of the decommissioning of the railway line section between the Passenger Railway Station and the national border running towards the border in Kismartoni sor;
• In the whole section, including Sopron Station, the conditions for the establishment of a new electronic signalling system, which is suitable for receiving an ETCS system to be established later, which allows a speed of 160 km/h.

Completed work parts:
Under the Detailed Feasibility Plan, several assessments and studies were prepared, which were based on each other in whole or in part, as follows:

Design of railway route alternatives
Preparation of several alternatives of a design study for the open line sections of Győr (excl.)–Sopron–national boundary with the stations concerned, examining the Fertőszentmiklós and Sopron Stations and the Sopron(excl.)–Fertőszentmiklós (excl.) line section as priorities.

Devising a traffic model and traffic study:

• Structure of the model, incorporation of the completed forecasts, modelling of the case without the project and the alternatives on the basis of the design studies
• Modelling of future traffic conditions for the case without the project and for each alternative for three or four highlighted years

Simulation test of railway operations

• timetable and devising a railway operations technology
• conducting a real-time simulation test
• evaluations and formulation of proposals

Study entitled ‘The role of railways in the development of the city of Sopron’
The study analyses the effect of railway design alternatives on the city. It formulates the alternatives that are the most favourable for the city and related measures taken by the city.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and EVD

• Strategic Environmental Assessment for the study entitled ‘The role of railways in the development of the city of Sopron’
• EVD for the development of railways