150 years Austria Railroad - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 1987

The block shows the steam locomotive "Austria" with the first railway train, as well as an electric locomotive of the series 1044 with modern express train. The occasion for the issue of this special postage stamp was the 150th anniversary of the start of railway operations in Austria. After the first trial runs on the Floridsdorf - Deutsch-Wagram route had taken place on 13 and 14 November 1837, on 17 November 1837 test runs were carried out on a train pulled by a steam locomotive. The ceremonial opening took place on November 23, 1837. At 10.00 o'clock in the morning, a train set up in Floridsdorf, consisting of the locomotive "Austria", five first-class cars of 18 passengers and three second-class cars of 24 passengers each, in Direction Deutsch-Wagram in motion. This day is considered the beginning of the railway age in Austria. The symbolic symbol for all events that were held in and for the anniversary year is the motif of the special postage stamp. It was the result of a design competition, which the Austrian Federal Railways had advertised in the fall of 1985. Out of more than 220 designs submitted, the jury selected the entry of Bill Slatterly and awarded first prize to this Vienna-based artist.