Eastern National Railway (Austria)

The Eastern National Railway (German: Östliche Nationalbahn) was a railway company in Austria-Hungary, operating primarily in Lower Austria and parts of Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic). It was established in 1869 and nationalized by the Austrian government in 1884.

The company's main line connected Vienna with the industrial region of southern Moravia and Bohemia. This route aimed to facilitate transport of goods and passengers between Vienna and the northern regions of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Significant stations along the line included Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station), Gänserndorf, and others along the route towards the Bohemian border.

The Östliche Nationalbahn played a crucial role in the industrial development of the regions it served by improving access to markets and raw materials. The company also contributed to the growing railway network of Austria-Hungary, which was essential for the empire's economic and political stability.

Following nationalization, the lines and assets of the Östliche Nationalbahn were integrated into the Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways (kkStB). This integration led to further expansion and improvement of the railway network under state control. The legacy of the Östliche Nationalbahn can still be seen in the infrastructure and rail routes that continue to be used today in Austria and the Czech Republic.