Introduction
Macedonian Railways operates 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) gauge (standard gauge) rail tracks in Macedonia and maintains 925 km (575 mi) of lines, 315 km (196 mi) of which are electrified with a 25 kV 50 Hz AC system.
The first standard gauge line in the area, from Skopje to Thessaloniki (today Greece) was built in 1873. Macedonia has a well-developed railroad system. It is connected to Kosovo via Volkovo in the northwest, to Serbia via Tabanovci in the north and to Greece via Gevgelija in the southeast and via Kremenica in the southwest. The main train station in Macedonia is Skopje.
All domestic lines are operated by Macedonian Railways, with links from Skopje to Tetovo, Gostivar and Kicevo in the west, to Volkovo in the northwest, to Kumanovo and Tabanovci in the north, to Sveti Nikole, Štip, and Kocani in the east, to Veles, Negotino and Gevgelija in the south - southeast and to Bogomila, Prilep and Bitola in the southwest.
International connections and services
The main north - south line from Niš in Serbia to the port of Thessaloniki in Greece on the Aegean Sea (Corridor X), passes through Kumanovo, Skopje, Zelenikovo, Veles, Negotino, Demir Kapija, Miravci and Gevgelija. Intercity trains link Kumanovo, Skopje, Zelenikovo, Veles, Negotino (Kavadarci), Demir Kapija, Miravci (Valandovo) and Gevgelija (Bogdanci) with Serbia and Greece. Travel to Bulgaria is via Niš in Serbia and via Thessaloniki in Greece. Intercity trains link Skopje with Kosovo.
The Macedonian railway network
Below a map of the railways in Macedonia, I used Google Maps / Earth and edited myself (Edited to the actual situation,september 2008). You can click on the map to enlarge.
Future plans
Very important for the Macedonian Railways is the 10th corridor, from Vienna (Austria) to Thessaloniki (Greece), which is an European project. The EU want to improve this connection, because they expect an increase of traffic. It includes railways as well, see the map below.
Another important project is the 8th corridor, to link the Black Sea (Burgas-Bulgaria) to the Adriatic Sea (Dürres-Albania),via Kriva Palanka-Skopje-Kicevo-Struga. Seen the situation of the Macedonian Railways and Macedonia I think this project will take time, but in September 2007, the ministries of Transport from Bulgaria and Macedonia signed an agreement to built the last sections between Kumanovo (MK) and Kjustendil (BG).
The section between Kicevo and the Albanian border has also to be built, as part of the 8th Corridor, but that is more difficult, because it is mountainous area. I don't know how quick they can built a railway line between Kicevo and the Macedonian/Albanian border, also the Albanian side has to be upgraded, as I have seen in february 2007. A lot has to be done and it cost a lot of money and a politcal will to succeed this projects, and be part of the spirit of European Union (trade withour barreers).
The financial position of the Macedonian Railways is not good at this moment. It can only be created by help of the international community. From the World bank they got some loans and maybe more will follow. Of course Macedonia is on a strategic postion, between Middle-Europe and the strategic port of Thessaloniki (Solun in Macedonian), and this potential could be used. The Macedonian Government wants to use this potential also. A lot depends on the status of Kosovo, but also the admission of Macedonia and neighbouring countries Serbia and Albania in the European Union, or at least that there are no trade barreers in the spirit of EU. The European Union has to take also responsability in these cases, it counts for both corridors and both sides.
- Click to enlarge
