9 Jul 2017 was a special day at the Mariapfarr station because there was a locomotive baptism.
 
But first there was a ceremony at Mauterndorf station on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Taurachbahn's concession certificate.
 
Among the many honorary guests was the club's board of directors, Club 760, Dr. Dieter Motzka from the BH Tamsweg, as well as the two Mayors Eder and Doppler, plus as special guest Governor Dr. Wilfried Haslauer.
 
The festival speakers, Governor Haslauer, Wolfgang Eder, August Zopf managing director of the Taurachbahn, and later in Mariapfarr, Mayor Franz Doppler appreciated the achievements of the Club 760 volunteers.
 
During the last 30 years the volunteers renewed the entire track system, renovated two stations, and kept the whole railway running providing the Lungau region an essential tourist attraction.
 
Therefore, the two mayors also wish to secure the Taurachbahn's existence for a longer period.
 
Although the vehicles belong to Club 760, the route and properties are leased from the Steiermärkische Landesbahnen (StLB), which is the property of the state of Styria.
 
Until now, only a short-term leasing contract was possible, which must be continually extended.
 
Mayor Doppler also suggested bringing the Club 760 Schmalspurmuseum (narrow gauge museum), situated at the station in Frojach, to the Lungau region.
 
The most urgent concern on the part of Club 760 was the upcoming right-of-way lease negotiations with the StLB.
 
After the speeches the guests rode a special train to Mariapfarr station for the baptism of locomotive number 298.56.
 
This ex-ÖBB engine originally ran on the Steyrtalbahn.
 
When she was purchased in 1982 she was on overhaul at the ÖBB workshop in Knittelfeld.
 
Club 760 bought it, finished it there, and brought it to the Taurachbahn.
 
Lastly, it was leased for a few years (2011-2014) to the Stainzerbahn, where it led their famous "Flascherlzug" train.
 
This year, she received a major upgrade at the Zillertalbahn and is now serviceable again for Taurachbahn service.
 
The engine is completely identical to the "U" series (for Unzmarkt) locomotives built for the Murtalbahn, with only one difference, it has no Kobel spark arresting chimney.

Built in 1900 she was baptized for the first time at the age of 117.
 
Governor Wilfried Haslauer mounted the locomotive name plate and his newly-married wife Christine christened the locomotive with champagne in the name "Mariapfarr".
 
Author unknown - Loosely translated with Google.