Stamps
150 years Feldkirch–Schaan–Buchs railway line
For 150 years now, a stretch of railway just 18 kilometres long has formed the backbone of long-distance services between Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. This important connection is being celebrated with a joint issue.
Joint issue Austria–Liechtenstein–Switzerland
Coming into service on 24 October 1872, this railway line remains something of a curiosity today. First, because the electric line is the only stretch of railway in the Principality of Liechtenstein; and secondly, because many long-distance services between Austria and Switzerland, for both goods and passengers, also use this line – despite it being single-track.
The miniature sheet issued to mark the 150th anniversary is available as a Swiss variant with only the Helvetia stamp or, alternatively, with the stamps from all three countries and the face values for each stamp. They feature three locomotives from different eras used in each of the nations: a 1927 steam engine for Austria, an electric ÖBB traction unit from 2004 for Liechtenstein and SBB’s legendary Re 4/4 II built between 1964 and 1985.
Celebrations for the joint issue
Experience a piece of unique railroad history in the tri-border region of Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
A special branch of the Austrian, Liechtenstein and Swiss postal services awaits you over two days, with a small philatelic exhibition on railways, model railroads and a children’s programme. The joint issue will be officially presented 1 p.m. on Friday, 9 September. Take the opportunity to get your personal cancellations from all three postal companies.
| Date: | 9 to 10 September 2022 |
| Location: | Levis rectory, Mutterstrasse 73, A-6800 Feldkirch |
| Arriving by public transport: | by bus from Feldkirch train station, route 2 towards Gisingen/Rankweil/Götzis, Levis (Jugendherberge) bus stop, 5 minutes’ walk to Levis rectory. |
| Arriving by car: | sufficient parking available |
| Opening times: | Friday, 9 September 2022, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Saturday, 10 September 2022, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| Stamp presentation: | Friday, 9 September 2022, 1 p.m. |
| Refreshments: | Drinks and snacks available |
Technical information
Sales
Philately: from 1.9.2022 to 30.9.2023 or while stocks last
Branches (in the region only): from 9.9.2022 to 30.9.2023 or while stocks last
Validity
Unlimited from 9.9.2022
Printing
Offset, 4-colour; Gutenberg AG, Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein
Sizes
Stamps: 36.6 × 30 mm
Miniature sheet: 120 × 75 mm
Paper
White stamp paper with optical brightener, matt gummed, 110 gm2
Perforation
12 ¼ : 12 ¼
Design
David Gruber, Vienna and Marion Füllerer, St. Pölten