- Nikšić-Podgorica railway
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Nikšić-Podgorica railway Legend
0,3 Nikšić 
9,0 Stubica 14,4 Dabovići 17,3 Ostrog 21,0 Šobajići 23,3 Šumanovića Bare 25,6 Slap 
34,4 Danilovgrad 38,3 Ljutotuk 43,7 Spuž 46,9 Pričelje 
from Belgrade 56,6 Podgorica 
to Bar 
to Shkodër The Nikšić-Podgorica railway is a railway connecting Montenegrin capital of Podgorica and Montenegrin second largest city of Nikšić. The line connects to Belgrade–Bar railway and Podgorica–Shkodër railway at Podgorica. It is operated by ŽICG.
Contents
Overview
Nikšić-Podgorica is a 56.4 kilometre-long standard gauge railway. It passes through 12 tunnels of total length of 3,439m, and over 9 bridges (overall length of 279m), mostly following the Bjelopavlići plain along its corridor. It is currently under reconstruction and electrification (25 kV AC). Once the works are completed, the speeds on this line will be between 75km/h and 100km/h. The line has 3 train stations (Nikšić, Danilovgrad, and Podgorica) and 9 train halts.[1]
History
The line was built as a narrow gauge (760 mm) railway in 1947. It was connected to the preexisting Nikšić - Bileća line. In 1965, the line was upgraded to standard gauge, with the extension to Bileća decommissioned at the same time.
The railway has primarily been used for transport of bauxite ore from the Nikšić mine to the Podgorica Aluminium Plant. Chronic lack of funds for maintenance resulted in operating speeds being reduced to 30km/h, and end of passenger service in 1992. Since then, the railway was used as freight-only.
In 2006, thorough reconstruction and electrification of the line begun, with consortium of Czech companies (OHL ŽS "Brno", AŽD and EŽ) undertaking the construction works. The reconstruction was scheduled to be completed in 2009, but is not yet complete as of 2011, due to funding problems. The entire project is expected to cost close to 70 million EURO.
Once complete, the operating speeds should be increased to 75km/h - 100km/h range, and passenger service reintroduced. Railway transport of Montenegro has announced that it will acquire 3 modern electric multiple units to service passenger transport.
See also
References
External links
- Željeznička infrastruktura Crne Gore (in Montenegrin)
Categories:- Railway lines in Montenegro
- Railway lines opened in 1947
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