Railways of Montenegro
Encyclopedia
Rail transport in Montenegro is operated by three separate companies, which independently handle railway infrastructure, passenger transport and cargo transport.
Montenegro is a member of the International Union of Railways
(UIC). The UIC Country Code
for Montenegro is 62.
(760 mm) Gabela
- Zelenika line in 1901. This railway was built by Austria-Hungary
, as it governed the territory of Boka Kotorska at the time.
However, the works on first Montenegrin railway, the Bar
- Virpazar
line, begun in 1905. This 750mm gauge, 43,3 km long railway was opened in 1908. The extension of this line from Virpazar
to Cetinje
was planned, but never came through, due to the lack of funding, and the beginning of the First World War. This historic mountain railway
line overcame a rise of 550m over a 22 km run on the Sutorman mountain, with a maximum grade of 40‰. Despite the steep gradient, the railway was not using rack technology
, due to the innovative route design by Italian engineers. The operating speeds on the line were 18 km/h for passenger transport, and 12 km/h for freight movement. In 2008, on the 100th anniversary of the line opening, and at the same time the anniversary of Montenegrin railways as a whole, it was planned to transfer the steam locomotive
Lovćen from Podgorica Rail Station
to Virpazar. This locomotive, which operated on the line, should become a part of a Montenegrin railway museum in Virpazar, which, due to lack of funds, never came through.
The railway network in Montenegro expanded during the period of Kingdom of Yugoslavia
. In 1927, the Podgorica
- Plavnica line (600 mm) was opened, followed by Bileća
- Nikšić
line in 1938. At that time, the railway network of Montenegro measured 143 km in length, with 760 mm narrow gauge
as a most common standard. However, the railway network was not integrated, and 600 mm, 750 mm and 760 mm were present, additionally complicating the network operations. Multimodal transport
was used for freight transport between Bar and Podgorica, as goods were transported by rail from Bar to Virpazar, then ferried across the Skadar Lake to Plavnica, followed by rail transport to Podgorica once again. Thus, it is fair to say that railway network in Montenegro was underdeveloped and unorganized prior to World War II
.
Following the World War 2, the railway line Podgorica - Nikšić was completed (1947), with 760 mm gauge. The first real advance towards modernisation of railway network was the start of construction of the Montenegrin section of Belgrade-Bar railway. The first section from Bar to Podgorica was completed in 1959, and this is the first section of standard gauge
railway in Montenegro. At the same time, narrow gauge
Podgorica - Plavnica and Bar - Virpazar lines were decommissioned.
In 1965, the Podgorica - Nikšić corridor was upgraded to standard gauge, thus standardizing the entire connection from Bar to Nikšić via Podgorica. The section from Nikšić to Bileća was decommissioned at the time, as well as the Gabela - Zelenika line. The Montenegrin section of colossal Belgrade-Bar railway project (from Bar to Vrbnica, border with Serbia
) was completed in 1976, connecting Bar and Podgorica with the northern Montenegro, Serbia, and European rail network. At that time, the length of Montenegrin railway network was 215 km, with transition to standard gauge
complete.
The latest addition to the Motenegrin railways was Podgorica–Shkodër line
, which opened in 1986. This was a freight-only line since its opening.
: Жељезница Црне Горе / Željeznica Crne Gore (ŽCG)) until it was split up in 2008.
: Жељезничка Инфраструктура Црне Горе / Željeznička Infrastruktura Crne Gore (ŽICG)) is a company that handles operation, oversight, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin railway network.
The total network is 250 kilometres long and is (standard gauge
) for its entire length, with 162 of them electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz AC. Almost 58 km of lines are situated in 121 tunnels. There are also 120 bridges, 9 galleries and 440 culverts. The network consists of three railway lines, meeting at Podgorica, with two lines having their terminus at Podgorica.
. The link with Albania
is only in use for freight. There are currently no railway connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina
and Kosovo
.
: Жељезнички превоз Црне Горе / Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG)) is a company that handles passenger transport within Montenegro, as well as operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin rolling stock
.
There are also:
: Montecargo) is a company that handles freight transport within Montenegro, as well as operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin goods wagons and locomotive
s.
Rolling stock of Montecargo consists of 17 locomotives (15 active) and 713 freight wagons:
travels on Railways of Montenegro in Casino Royale
. The actual train seen in the movie is the Pendolino
tilting train of Czech Railways.
Montenegro is a member of the International Union of Railways
International Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
(UIC). The UIC Country Code
UIC Country Code
The UIC Country Code is a two digit number used to identify member countries of the International Union of Railways . The UIC has issued numbering systems for rolling stock and train stations that both contain the UIC Country Code. The values are defined in UIC leaflet 920-14.-Table of Codes:-...
for Montenegro is 62.
History
First railway in the territory that today belongs to Montenegro was narrow gaugeNarrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
(760 mm) Gabela
Gabela
Gabela is a town in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, 5 kilometres south of Čapljina and 4 kilometers from Metković, in Croatia. It is situated in the navigable lower course of the Neretva, off the major road linking the coast with the mountainous hinterland...
- Zelenika line in 1901. This railway was built by Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, as it governed the territory of Boka Kotorska at the time.
However, the works on first Montenegrin railway, the Bar
Bar, Montenegro
Bar is a coastal town in Montenegro. It has a population of 17,727...
- Virpazar
Virpazar
Virpazar is a town in the Bar, Montenegro municipality, Montenegro. It is located in the Crmnica region, on the shore of Skadar Lake. According to 2003 census, it has a population of 337. It is a stop on the Belgrade - Bar railway, and is home to Virpazar hotel, a picturesque lakeshore hotel....
line, begun in 1905. This 750mm gauge, 43,3 km long railway was opened in 1908. The extension of this line from Virpazar
Virpazar
Virpazar is a town in the Bar, Montenegro municipality, Montenegro. It is located in the Crmnica region, on the shore of Skadar Lake. According to 2003 census, it has a population of 337. It is a stop on the Belgrade - Bar railway, and is home to Virpazar hotel, a picturesque lakeshore hotel....
to Cetinje
Cetinje
Cetinje , Цетиње / Cetinje , Italian: Cettigne, Greek: Κετίγνη, Ketígni) is a town and Old Royal Capital of Montenegro. It is also a historical and the secondary capital of Montenegro , with the official residence of the President of Montenegro...
was planned, but never came through, due to the lack of funding, and the beginning of the First World War. This historic mountain railway
Mountain railway
A mountain railway is a railway that ascends and descends a mountain slope that has a steep grade. Such railways can use a number of different technologies to overcome the steepness of the grade...
line overcame a rise of 550m over a 22 km run on the Sutorman mountain, with a maximum grade of 40‰. Despite the steep gradient, the railway was not using rack technology
Rack railway
A rack-and-pinion railway is a railway with a toothed rack rail, usually between the running rails. The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail...
, due to the innovative route design by Italian engineers. The operating speeds on the line were 18 km/h for passenger transport, and 12 km/h for freight movement. In 2008, on the 100th anniversary of the line opening, and at the same time the anniversary of Montenegrin railways as a whole, it was planned to transfer the steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
Lovćen from Podgorica Rail Station
Podgorica Rail Station
The Podgorica Rail Station is a railroad station located in Podgorica, Montenegro....
to Virpazar. This locomotive, which operated on the line, should become a part of a Montenegrin railway museum in Virpazar, which, due to lack of funds, never came through.
The railway network in Montenegro expanded during the period of Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
. In 1927, the Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
- Plavnica line (600 mm) was opened, followed by Bileća
Bileca
Bileća is a town and municipality in the southeast of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the entity of Republika Srpska. It is in eastern Herzegovina near the border with Montenegro, north of Trebinje and south of Gacko...
- Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
line in 1938. At that time, the railway network of Montenegro measured 143 km in length, with 760 mm narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
as a most common standard. However, the railway network was not integrated, and 600 mm, 750 mm and 760 mm were present, additionally complicating the network operations. Multimodal transport
Multimodal transport
Multimodal transport is the transportation of goods under a single contract, but performed with at least two different means of transport; the carrier is liable for the entire carriage, even though it is performed by several different modes of transport...
was used for freight transport between Bar and Podgorica, as goods were transported by rail from Bar to Virpazar, then ferried across the Skadar Lake to Plavnica, followed by rail transport to Podgorica once again. Thus, it is fair to say that railway network in Montenegro was underdeveloped and unorganized prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Following the World War 2, the railway line Podgorica - Nikšić was completed (1947), with 760 mm gauge. The first real advance towards modernisation of railway network was the start of construction of the Montenegrin section of Belgrade-Bar railway. The first section from Bar to Podgorica was completed in 1959, and this is the first section of standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railway in Montenegro. At the same time, narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
Podgorica - Plavnica and Bar - Virpazar lines were decommissioned.
In 1965, the Podgorica - Nikšić corridor was upgraded to standard gauge, thus standardizing the entire connection from Bar to Nikšić via Podgorica. The section from Nikšić to Bileća was decommissioned at the time, as well as the Gabela - Zelenika line. The Montenegrin section of colossal Belgrade-Bar railway project (from Bar to Vrbnica, border with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
) was completed in 1976, connecting Bar and Podgorica with the northern Montenegro, Serbia, and European rail network. At that time, the length of Montenegrin railway network was 215 km, with transition to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
complete.
The latest addition to the Motenegrin railways was Podgorica–Shkodër line
Podgorica–Shkodër railway
The Podgorica–Shkodër railway is a railway connecting Albania and Montenegro, used primarily for freight-purposes only. It is Albania's only international rail link. Although initially built between 1984–1985, it fell into disuse in 1991 and later fully reopened in 2003...
, which opened in 1986. This was a freight-only line since its opening.
Organization
Rail transport in Montenegro is operated by three separate companies, which independently handle railway infrastructure, passenger transport and cargo transport. The three companies were a part of public company Railways of Montenegro (MontenegrinMontenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Жељезница Црне Горе / Željeznica Crne Gore (ŽCG)) until it was split up in 2008.
Railway Infrastructure of Montenegro
Railway Infrastructure of Montenegro (MontenegrinMontenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Жељезничка Инфраструктура Црне Горе / Željeznička Infrastruktura Crne Gore (ŽICG)) is a company that handles operation, oversight, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin railway network.
The total network is 250 kilometres long and is (standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
) for its entire length, with 162 of them electrified at 25 kV 50 Hz AC. Almost 58 km of lines are situated in 121 tunnels. There are also 120 bridges, 9 galleries and 440 culverts. The network consists of three railway lines, meeting at Podgorica, with two lines having their terminus at Podgorica.
- Belgrade-Bar railway is the backbone of the Montenegrin railway system. It opened in 1979, and then was a state-of-the art railway, with features such as Mala Rijeka viaductMala Rijeka viaductThe Mala Rijeka Viaduct is a viaduct on the Belgrade - Bar railway, located some 20 km north of Podgorica, Montenegro.- Overview :The project was started in 1969 and was completed in 1973.Viaduct is long and rises above the Mala Rijeka...
(highest railway viaduct in the world) and the 6.2 km long Sozina tunnel. About one-third of the Montenegrin part of the railway is in a tunnel or on a viaduct. It is the only railway corridor in Montenegro that is fully electrified: electrification of Podgorica - NikšićNikšićNikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
corridor is not complete. The railway has suffered from chronic underfunding in 1990s, resulting in it deteriorating and becoming unsafe. This culminated in the 2006 Bioče train disasterBioce train disasterThe Bioče derailment was a train crash on January 23, 2006 in Montenegro. At least 45 people, including five children, were killed and another 184 injured...
, when a passenger train derailed, killing 47 passengers. Efforts are being made to thoroughly reconstruct this railway.
- The Nikšić-Podgorica railway (56,6 km long) was built in 1948 as narrow gauge railway, and upgraded to normal gauge in 1965. Since 1992, it has been used solely for freight traffic, particularly bauxiteBauxiteBauxite is an aluminium ore and is the main source of aluminium. This form of rock consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al3, boehmite γ-AlO, and diaspore α-AlO, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, the clay mineral kaolinite, and small amounts of anatase TiO2...
from the Nikšić mine to the Podgorica Aluminium PlantPodgorica Aluminium PlantPodgorica Aluminium Plant is an aluminium processing plant, located on the southern outskirts of Podgorica, Montenegro.-Overview:...
, with maximum speed on the railway reduced to 30 km/h. That is about to change, as this part of railway is currently under complete reconstruction and electrification. Passenger traffic is set to start in 2009, and maximum speeds will be between 75 and 100 km/h.
- The Podgorica-Shkodër railway, which extends to TiranaTiranaTirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, has been used exclusively for freight traffic since its opening. Parts in Albania were damaged in 1997, but the connection was restored in 2002. There are plans to reconstruct the railway and re-introduce passenger traffic, as it is important for interests of both MontenegroMontenegroMontenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
and AlbaniaAlbaniaAlbania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
.
Rail links with adjacent countries
Montenegro only has railway links with SerbiaSerbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. The link with Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
is only in use for freight. There are currently no railway connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
.
- Same gauge:
-
AlbaniaRail transport in AlbaniaThe railways in Albania are administered by the national railway company Hekurudha Shqiptare . It operates a gauge rail system in Albania. All trains are hauled by Czech-built ČKD diesel-electric locomotives...
— freight only -
Bosnia and HerzegovinaRail transport in Bosnia and HerzegovinaRailway operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are successors of the Yugoslav Railways within the country boundaries following independence from the Former Yugoslavia in 1992.-Overview:...
— currently no railway connections -
CroatiaCroatian RailwaysCroatian Railways is the national railway company of Croatia. It was formed after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and Yugoslav Railways.Croatia is a member of the International Union of Railways . The UIC Country Code for Croatia is 78.-Railway network:...
— currently no railway connections -
SerbiaSerbian RailwaysSerbian Railways is the national railway carrier of Serbia. Its current network spans a distance of 4,347 km in length, with 32% electrified railways....
— passenger and freight -
KosovoKosovo RailwaysKosovo Railways J.S.C is the railway carrier of Kosovo. It was originally formed as the UNMIK Railways from the lines of the former Yugoslav Railways that lie on Kosovo territory, and is owned by the state.- History :...
— currently no railway connections
-
Railway transport of Montenegro
Railway transport of Montenegro (MontenegrinMontenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Жељезнички превоз Црне Горе / Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (ŽPCG)) is a company that handles passenger transport within Montenegro, as well as operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin rolling stock
Rolling stock
Rolling stock comprises all the vehicles that move on a railway. It usually includes both powered and unpowered vehicles, for example locomotives, railroad cars, coaches and wagons...
.
Rolling stock
Rolling stock of Railway transport of Montenego consists of 39 locomotives and 4 EMUs:- 16 locomotives of class 461 (4 are awaiting the general overhaul)
- 4 electric multiple unit sets of class 412/416
- 7 locomotives of class 661 (2 active, 2 are awaiting the general overhaul)
- 4 locomotives of class 644
- 4 locomotives of class 642 (2 active)
- 2 locomotives of class 643
- 6 locomotives of class 744 (none of them is active)
There are also:
- Passenger cars:
- 31 passenger coaches (classes A, AB and B)
- 1 buffet car (class WR)
- 32 sleeping and couchette cars (classes AcBc, Ac, Bc and WLAB)
- 10 car-carrier wagons (class DDam)
- Freight cars:
- 226 wagons (class G)
- 15 wagons (class K)
- 62 wagons (class R)
- 7 wagons (class S)
- 415 wagons (class E)
- 29 wagons (class F)
- 34 wagons (class Z)
- 33 wagons (class U)
- 3 wagons (class H)
Montecargo
Montecargo (MontenegrinMontenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Montecargo) is a company that handles freight transport within Montenegro, as well as operation, maintenance, and modernization of the Montenegrin goods wagons and locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s.
Rolling stock of Montecargo consists of 17 locomotives (15 active) and 713 freight wagons:
- 8 locomotives of class 461
- 3 locomotives of class 661
- 4 locomotives of class 644
- 2 locomotives of class 744 (none of them is active)
Railways of Montenegro in fiction
James BondJames Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
travels on Railways of Montenegro in Casino Royale
Casino Royale (2006 film)
Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
. The actual train seen in the movie is the Pendolino
Pendolino
Pendolino is an Italian family of tilting trains used in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, Russian Federation, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Switzerland, China and shortly in Romania and Poland...
tilting train of Czech Railways.
External links
- Željeznička infrastruktura Crne Gore (in Montenegrin)
- Željeznički prevoz Crne Gore (in Montenegrin)
- Montecargo (in Montenegrin)
- Map of the railway network
