Septemvri-Dobrinishte narrow gauge line

42.2036324.13113Koordinaten: 42 ° 12 ' 13 " N, 24 ° 7' 52" E

The Rhodopenbahn is the last in operation narrow gauge ( track width 760 mm) of the Bulgarian State Railways BDŽ. It runs from Septemwri on the main line Sofia - Plovdiv and Velingrad about Bansko Dobrinishte.

The route in northeast-southwest direction between Rila and Rhodopes and ends east of the Pirin Mountains.

History

The railway was opened in several sections 1922-1945. The total length of Rhodopenbahn was 125 km; The journey takes about five hours. A 16.6 km long lateral branch of Pazardzhik by Varvara was shut down and dismantled in 2002.

Because of their routing through the mountains the Rhodopenbahn itself compared with railways in the Alps. In contrast to these, the Rhodopenbahn is not electrified and is operated with diesel engines. For groups is to order a steam locomotive available.

Along the route lies with the breakpoint Awramowo at an altitude of 1267 m, the highest railway station in the Balkans. Along the route 35 tunnels were built, they are together in 2858 m long. The longest tunnel ( number 32 ) measures 314 m. Between Sweta Petka and Tscherna Mesta there are 4 reversing loops.

Train the Rhodopenbahn

Station Jakoruda

Station Awramowo

Station Velingrad

Diesel locomotive of Rhodopenbahn

Monument at the site of the University of Railway Engineering in Sofia

Steam locomotive 609.76

680932
de