Struggling pub seeks customers for coffee service within train station premises.
In Marchegg, a cozy inn nestled at the eastern end of ÖBB's railway infrastructure, service continues unabated. Gabi, the initial stern landlady, offers plentiful coffee as early as 9 am, and her colleagues, particularly those on midday shifts to Marchegg, appreciate the generous menu and reasonable prices.
At this old border station, the atmosphere is a stark contrast to many contemporary railway stations, largely due to the presence of a restaurant that retains the charm of yesteryear. Michael Alexander Populorum, a private railway researcher from Salzburg, laments the gradual decay of such train station restaurants, stating that over half of the establishments he has visited and photographed have since closed.
The inn, known as 'Gasthaus zur Schiene', offers a blend of railway nostalgia and reflection on contemporary life. The establishment harks back to the eastern end of the 'western world' until 1989, embodying the logo of a locomotive above the inn. Inside, the decor exudes a touch of railway nostalgia and abundant wood paneling.
Time pressure is suspected to be a significant factor contributing to the struggles faced by train station restaurant operators. The commuting culture in Vienna has transformed, with fewer passengers seeking leisurely drinks before work and more opting for 'to-go' options. This shift in behavior has resulted in bakery chains gaining more profit at the expense of train station innkeepers.
Michael Alexander Populorum accuses ÖBB of disregarding gastronomy on train stations, claiming it is too much maintenance for them. Despite this allegation, passengers visiting the 'Gasthaus zur Schiene' in Marchegg receive prompt assistance, an evident exception to the situation in stations without a restaurant or sales point.
Gabi, the Marchegg innkeeper, gradually opens up over time, inviting her brother Martin, who travels daily from their home near the Slovakian and Czech Republic border, to help with customer service. The siblings are set to celebrate a decade of service at the inn in the near future.
Locomotive drivers, such as the conductor who frequents the inn, acknowledge the excellence of its fare, expressing their intent to visit again in the future. The question remains whether the Slovak siblings will continue their endeavor over the border for another decade.
Regardless of the challenges faced by train station restaurants, ÖBB's railway services continue to offer diverse travel experiences to passengers. The system provides high-speed trains, regional trains, and night trains, along with amenities such as onboard dining and shopping services. In Europe, service providers like Regiojet also offer dining options onboard, although reviews of their services vary.
- The restaurant within Gasthaus zur Schiene, the old border station inn in Marchegg, is reminiscent of a food-and-drink establishment, offering a nostalgic blend of yesteryear ambiance and contemporary life.
- Despite the gradual decay of such establishments at train stations, passengers visiting Gasthaus zur Schiene in Marchegg can enjoy travel that includes a home-and-garden atmosphere, with abundant wood paneling and a welcoming sense of family service, featuring Gabi and her brother Martin.
